Troy, NY—Senior Jonathan Luster scored a career-high 26 points on 9 of 14 shooting, including 6 of 9 from three-point range, and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team defeated The Sage Colleges, 72-59, in a non-league game at East Campus Arena. Luster was one of three student-athletes who reached double figures in points for RPI, which improved to 3-1. Sage falls to 1-3.

Following a first half in which both teams enjoyed scoring runs, the Engineers took control in the second half, outscoring the Gators by 12 points (39-27) for the win. Luster had 14 second half points, while each of the other six Engineers who played scored at least two points. An 11-3 run for RPI gave the home team a 44-35 lead six minutes into the second half and the lead grew to 12 points, 49-37, when Asa Barnhill (Gloversville, NY / Gloversville) made a three-point shot with 12:29 to play. 

Jordan Devaughn (Jacksonville, FL / Flora McDonald Academy) nailed a three pointer of his own, but Sage would get no closer than nine points the rest of the contest. 

Luster, a guard, added four rebounds, two assists and a steal in 33 minutes for the Engineers. Brian Hatcher (Danbury, CT / Immaculate) added 13 points with six boards, three assits and three blocked shots, while sophomore Tom Horvat (Cranston, RI / Marianapolis Prep.) had 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Eighteen of RPI's 26 baskets were assisted with Barnhill collecting four and five others with at least two.

Senior Marcus Patterson (Bronx, NY / Mount Saint Michael Academy)led the Gators in scoring as he notched 19 points and a game-high nine rebounds. He also had three assists and three steals. None of the other 12 Sage student-athletes who played reached double digits in points, though senior Rob Mills (Newburgh, NY / Newburgh Free Academy) scored eight.

Sage is back in action on Tuesday, November 29 hosting MCLA in a 7 p.m. contest at home as the Gators host the Trailblazers in the team's home opener.