The Dutchmen and Red Hawks are now tied with 3-3 records in the Liberty League, while Union improved to 10-7 overall in snapping a three-game losing streak. Rensselaer fell to 5-11 overall.
John Cagianello (Wethersfield, CT/Loomis Chaffee) scored a game high 19 points for the Dutchmen, while Jim Rahill (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) added 10 points, four steals and four rebounds for Union. Senior forward Tom Schneider (Nashua, NH/Bishop Guertin) led the Red Hawks with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Matt Zepernick (Northport, NY/Northport) added 11 points and four assists. Rensselaer shot 42% for the night while Union shot 35%. The Dutchmen had a 36-32 rebounding advantage.
The Red Hawks led 35-33 at halftime, and had a 40-37 lead with 16:06 left in the second half on a three-pointer by Schneider. Union tied it on a Cagianello three-pointer at 15:03, part of a 17-7 run in 5:36. Union led 54-47 with 9:27 left in the second, with six points from Cagianello in that span. With Union up 59-53 with 30 seconds left, Red Hawk Paul Halas (Sea Girt, NJ/St. Rose) hit a three-pointer to make it a three point game with 25 seconds left. Union’s Chris Murphy (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY/Iona Prep) was fouled and made both free throws for a five point advantage.
Union hosts Vassar Saturday at 4 p.m. while Rensselaer plays at 4 p.m. at Skidmore Saturday.
Newspaper Box Score Rensselaer vs Union 1-27-06 8:00 PM at Viniar Athletic Center, Schenectady, NY At Viniar Athletic Center, Schenectady, NY UNION 63, RENSSELAER 59 RENSSELAER (5-11,3-3 Liberty) Tom Schneider 6-15 0-0 14; Matt Zepernick 4-11 1-1 11; Paul Halas 3-6 0-0 9; Neal Wesson 3-6 1-2 8; Joe Johnson 4-7 0-0 8; David Easley 1-3 2-2 4; Clay Hadley 1-2 1-1 3; Sam Simmons 1-2 0-0 2; Dan Rourke 0-0 0-0 0; Russell Herman 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 23-55 5-6 59. UNION (10-7,3-3 Liberty) John Cagianello 6-12 6-8 19; Brian Scordato 5-11 4-6 18; Jim Rahill 4-6 0-0 10; Kyle Grimm 3-7 0-0 7; Chris Murphy 0-4 4-7 4; Joseph Mackey 0-0 2-2 2; Rob Futia 0-2 2-4 2; Drew Desmarais 0-2 1-2 1; Steve Madej 0-3 0-0 0; Darcy Bonner 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 18-51 19-29 63. Rensselaer.................... 35 24 - 59 Union......................... 33 30 - 63 3-point goals-Rensselaer 8-21 (Paul Halas 3-6; Tom Schneider 2-8; Matt Zepernick 2-3; Neal Wesson 1-2; Clay Hadley 0-1; Joe Johnson 0-1), Union 8-20 (Brian Scordato 4-8; Jim Rahill 2-4; Kyle Grimm 1-2; John Cagianello 1-3; Chris Murphy 0-3). Fouled out--Rensselaer-None, Union-None. Rebounds-Rensselaer 32 (Tom Schneider 9), Union 36 (Brian Scordato 11). Assists-Rensselaer 14 (Neal Wesson 4; Matt Zepernick 4), Union 15 (Chris Murphy 5). Total fouls-Rensselaer 20, Union 13. A-389