Saints Fall to Engineers in Tight Battle, 66-61

by: 

Tara Freeman

Rookie Nick Meunier racked up a game-high 16 points against Rensselaer Saturday.

Feb. 6:  Despite falling to Rensselaer in a tight 66-61 game, rookie Nick Meunier earned a game-high 16 points to help the St. Lawrence men's basketball team put up a tough fight, Saturday in Troy, NY.

The Engineers improve to a 13-6 (5-4) overall record, while the Saints fall to an 11-10 (7-3) mark.

Meunier shot 6-of-8 from the floor to lead the Scarlet and Brown, followed closely by senior captain Josh Sharlow who racked up 15 points.  Senior captain Andy Hoercher rounded out the top three scorers with 10 points off 4-of-6 shooting.  Sophomore Garrett Sharlow tallied a team-high six rebounds, complimented by Josh Sharlow who posted five.  Rensselaer's Tim Rupp and Travis Jones led their team with 14 points a piece, supported by Ricky Philatre who totaled 12.  Philatre also picked up a game-high 13 rebounds, while DJ Blackemore grabbed game-highs with three assists and four steals.

The Engineers managed to get on the board early, earning a seven point lead just over six minutes into the first half, due primarily to solid shooting from Philatre, Blakemore, and Mike Brion.  However, St. Lawrence reciprocated, moving out on a 6-0 run as Meunier chipped one in off the glass.  With 10:33 on the clock, sophomore Ralph Temgoua drained a three-pointer to give the Saints their first lead of the frame.  The lead then changed another three times in the half, with the Engineers claiming it twice and the Saints retaking it once more.  With 3:29 on the clock, Garrett Sharlow hit a layup to tie the score at 23.  However, Rupp responded with a solid shot from beyond the arc, followed by an easy layup from Mike Hammond to give Rensselaer the five point advantage as the half came to a close (28-23).

The Engineers were able to hold onto their lead for nearly the opening five minutes of the second half, until Hoercher and Josh Sharlow impressed from the arc, tying the score at 36.  The Saints were then able to move ahead by seven points, thanks mainly to Meunier and Josh Sharlow (43-36).  St. Lawrence held onto their lead for roughly the next five minutes, but the Engineers managed to stay within five points.  As the clock hit seven minutes remaining, Jones nailed a three to give back the lead to Rensselaer.  For the next minute, both teams fought point for point with the lead changing another four times, until Jones nailed consecutive three-pointers to put the Engineers ahead, 59-54.  However, Josh Sharlow pulled through from the charity stripe, followed by a big three from Temgoua to tie the score again at 59 with 3:13 left in regulation.  Blakemore then hit a crucial layup and foul shot to recapture the lead, and although the Saints were able to come within one point when Meunier tipped one in from underneath, a last-minute three-pointer from Jones secured Rensselaer's, 66-61 victory.

The Saints head on the road next weekend to take on Hamilton College, Friday, February 12^th in Clinton, NY.  Tip-off is set for 8:00 pm.