PHOTOS

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology men's basketball team outlasted Transylvania for an 82-79 victory on Saturday afternoon. The win gives the Fightin' Engineers their best start in conference play since joining the HCAC in 2006-07.

Both teams opened the game pounding the ball inside with five of the first six buckets coming in the painted area which gave us a look ahead about what was to come in terms of physicality.

The Pioneers opened up an 8-point advantage thanks to a 9-3 run in the first half, but the Fightin' Engineers quickly answered with a 19-4 run to take a 7-point lead of their own at 35-28. They would roll into the locker room with a 41-33 advantage.

In the second half, the Pioneers looked to attack the paint early and often, either getting to the foul line or finishing inside at the rim. However, the Fightin' Engineers were able to keep them at arms length with the lead staying over two possession until under 10 minutes to play.

With Rose-Hulman in front 57-48, Transylvania responded with a quick 10-0 to take their first lead since 26-24 in the first half of action. The lead would continue to trade hands back and forth over the next few minutes with lead only stretching past one possession once in the final 10 minutes of the game. 

Daniel Savovic hit a pull-up with 1:17 remaining to give the Fightin' Engineers a 76-75 lead, and they would look to put the game away at the free throw line after a great defensive stop by Miles McGowen inside. The Fightin' Engineers then went 6-6 from the line in the final minute with Joey Schmitz, Savovic, and Kobe Stoudemire all converting on their free throws, and one final stop at the buzzer gave Rose-Hulman the 82-79 victory.

In a game with 33 fouls called in the second half alone, the Pioneers went to the line 15 more times than the Fightin' Engineers and made 10 more, but Rose-Hulman let their grit and toughness shine through to hold on for the home victory.

Schmitz and Savovic led the team with 17 points a piece in the win, and Savovic also led the Fightin' Engineers with 5 assists.

Cole Pride scored 13 points, all coming in the first half, and Stoudemire added 12. McGowen also added 11 points and 8 rebounds with a team-high 3 steals and 2 blocks.

With the win, Rose-Hulman improves to 10-4 on the season and 7-0 in the HCAC. The Fightin' Engineers will return to action on Wednesday, January 18 as they travel to Hanover College to take on the Panthers.