UTICA, N.Y. (December 29, 2019) – A second-half rally by the SUNY Delhi men's basketball team was not enough to get them past Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Sunday evening in a 78-70 defeat on day one of the Utica College Classic. The Broncos, now 7-4, returned from a three-week winter break against the Engineers, and will conclude their stay facing the host Utica Pioneers on Monday at 3:00 p.m.

RPI built what appeared to be a comfortable 43-24 halftime lead, but the Broncos mounted a charge to start the second half to trim things down to 56-52 with less than nine minutes to play. This would be as close as they would come, however, as the Engineers tilted the game back in their favor with an ensuing 15-6 run to bring their lead back up to double digits. Delhi was also challenged all evening by RPI forward Patrick Mahoney, who headlined the scoring by making 32 points and 5-of-8 threes, while grabbing eight rebounds.

Junior guard Darius Hines led the Broncos with 19 points, while backcourt mate Norman Wilson totaled 13 points and made 3-of-4 triples. Forward Payton Dean delivered a double-double off the bench with 13 points and a game-best 14 boards. Justin Daoud finished with six points and ten rebounds, as Jordan Fragale posted nine points with four boards and Mavenson Therneus tallied seven points.

Daoud, Dean, and Fragale each moved closer to their 1,000 career point milestones. Daoud stands at 965 points, as Dean now has 899 points and Fragale 880 points.

The Broncos made 39.4 percent (28-for-71) and 7-of-30 threes to Rensselaer's 48.4 percent (30-for-62) and 10-of-21, respectively. RPI held a 40-35 lead in rebounds, while Delhi was ahead, 23-10, in bench points.

Head coach Zack Thomsen's team made their return to court after heading into winter break with a win over Houghton on Dec. 7. Following Monday's meeting with the Pioneers to close out 2019, the Broncos ring in the new year with a pair of homes against Hartwick on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 5:30 p.m. and future NAC foe SUNY Canton on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 4:00 p.m.