BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology shot 51% from the field and placed three players in double figures to defeat Rust College 86-63 in men's basketball action on Sunday afternoon.
Sophomore Charlie Aimone led the Rose-Hulman offense with 21 points on 8-13 from the field. Aimone also had six rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Trey Sykes scored a career-high 17 points on 6-7 from the field, and freshman Ryuji Aoki pitched in a career-high 16 points on 6-12.
Other key contributors included Stephen Schueth with eight points, four rebounds and three assists; John Czarnecki with five points and seven rebounds; Nick McGrail with five points and three rebounds; JT Whitaker with four points and seven rebounds; Eli Combs with four points and six rebounds; and Wade Stallings with four points and three assists.
Rose-Hulman shot 54% from the field in the first half and 51% for the game to earn its first win on the young season. Romeo Carter led Rust with 13 points and Artez Harris added 12.
Rose-Hulman jumped off to a fast start, jumping out to a 27-12 lead after back-to-back three-pointers from McGrail and Sykes. Rust closed to within eight points at 33-25, before Rose-Hulman closed the first half on a 17-9 run to score 50 points in the opening 20 minutes.
In the second half, the Fightin' Engineers pushed the lead to as high as 32 points and were never threatened from losing lead the lead.
Rose-Hulman improved to 1-1 on the year, while Rust dropped to 0-2. The Fightin' Engineers return to action next Sunday at Wabash College.
