Senior forward Tom Schneider (Nashua, NH/Bishop Guertin) led RPI with game-highs of 26 points and 21 rebounds (8 offensive), including 24 points and 19 rebounds (7 off.) after halftime. Two of his second half points came from the free throw line with just four seconds remaining to force overtime. Schneider, the reigning Liberty League Forward of the Week, also had an assist, two blocks and three steals in 36 minutes of action.
The homestanding Red Hawks jumped out to a nine-point lead midway through the first half before the Brewers went on a 30-9 run to close out the first half. Vassar held a double-digit lead as late as 11:25 in the second half before RPI evened the score at 65-65 on a free throw by senior Matt Zepernick (Northport, NY/Northport) with 1:37 remaining. The Brewers built a three-point lead with 1:14 left but the Red Hawks again fought back for the tie on Schneider’s free throws.
Rensselaer went ahead by as many as four points in the first overtime, 75-71, but the Brewers scored the final four points of the stanza to force the second extra session. RPI then hit the first nine points of the second overtime, including four from senior Neal Wesson (Portsmouth, RI/Portsmouth), and held off Vassar.
In addition to Schneider’s performance, Zepernick also recorded a double-double, scoring 21 points with 11 rebounds (3 off.). He also had two assists, four blocks and two steals in 44 minutes. Senior guards Paul Halas (Sea Grit, NJ/St. Rose) and Joe Johnson (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Vassar, which played without its top player (Lawrence Avitable), got 22 points apiece from freshman guard Brian Butterworth (Hamilton, MA/Hamilton-Wenham) and sophomore guard Tyson Brazell.
Rensselaer returns to action on Friday night when it hosts Clarkson University in a Liberty League game at 8pm. Vassar also plays on Friday night, hosting St. Lawrence University in a league contest (8pm).