TROY, N.Y. - Edvinas Rupkus scored 21 points with four rebounds, three assists and two steals to lead the Skidmore College men's basketball team to a 73-66 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

With the victory, the Thoroughbreds move into a three-way first place tie atop the Liberty League standings with an 8-5 record. They are 13-8 overall. RPI, which got a game-high 24 points from Tom Horvat, falls to 10-12 and 4-9.

The Engineers opened the game by scoring the first nine points, including five from Nate Kane, but Skidmore battled back, eventually taking a 15-14 lead with 9:05 left in the first frame. The teams traded baskets and the score remained within three points for the next 9:17 before Rupkus made a three-point shot for a 32-27 Skidmore lead. He then scored on a layup and made the ensuing free throw for an eight-point lead at the break.

Skidmore made it a nine-point lead (38-29) in the first couple of minutes of the second half and maintained at least a three-possession advantage until the 11-minute mark when RPI senior Chase Almond scored on a layup to pull the home team to within six points, 48-42. A Jack Byrne three-pointer put the Throughbreds ahead by 10 points, 56-46. The Engineers continued to battle back, eventually getting to within a point, 62-61,but Rupkus answered with a layup 26 seconds later. RPI was forced to foul down the stretch and Royce Paris made six consecutive free throws to seal the victory.

Paris finished with 16 points, including 9 for 9 from the free throw line. He also had four rebounds and an assist. Rupkus connected on 8 of 12 shots with five three-pointers, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Horvat, who had 28 points on Tuesday night, also had five three-point baskets, along with six rebounds and four assists. Tyler Gendron (Merrimack, NH scored 17 points with six rebounds.

Skidmore returns home Saturday to face Vassar College in a 4 p.m. game.

COACH BURKE:
Good road win for us tonight. You have to be really dialed in against them defensively and for the most part I thought we did that.  We also handled some adversity late which I think will help this young team continue to grow.

Every night is a battle in this league. Tomorrow will be another challenge against a good team but I am excited to be back home after four straight on the road. We also have the Alumni back and our fans get to take part in the Big Green Scream. Should be a great atmosphere.