Senior Riley Naclerio posted his first double-double of the 2017-18 season, but the St. Lawrence University men's basketball team fell to Rensselaer 76-57 to round out the first weekend of Liberty League action Saturday afternoon in Troy, New York. With the loss the Saints moved to 1-5 on the season and 0-2 in conference play, while RPI improved to 5-1 and 2-0.

Naclerio led the Saints with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while junior Ben Crawford and first-year Brandon Arnold added 12 points each. Arnold and classman Pierre Coffy each recorded two steals and three assists. Crawford also grabbed eight rebounds for St. Lawrence.

Both teams traded baskets for what started as an evenly paced first half. RPI only managed to hold a slight five-point advantage at the halfway point of the first frame.

A six-point run gave the Engineers a nine-point lead with eight minutes to play in the first. Naclerio and Crawford combined for five points shortly after closing the gap to 33-27. Coffy went 2-for-2 from the line to bring the game within four.

RPI rebounded to edge the Scarlet and Brown 37-31 at the half.

The Enginneers opened up the second half with another six-point stretch before Coffy added his first three pointer of the game. The Saints were unable to regain control as RPI answered almost every Saints basket with their own, knocking down five 3-pointers in the final frame and holding a 21-point lead with just under three minutes to play.

St. Lawrence fought to close the gap, but its rally fell short after the Saints were unable to draw the game within anything fewer than 14 points.

RPI's Marcus Giese also picked up a double-double on the win with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Tom Horvat also scored 18 points, while Kevin Davis and Bard Featherston added 14 and 12, respectively.

The Saints return to Canton, New York for their home opener on Tuesday, December 5th. Tipoff against SUNY Potsdam is set for 8 p.m.