PHOTOS

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- The Rose-Hulman Fightin' Engineers men's basketball team hosted Mount St. Joseph University in the opening round of the HCAC Tournament on Saturday. The team came away with a big win with a final score of 69-52 to defeat the Lions and advance to the semifinal round of the conference tournament. The win improves the team to 17-9 overall this season. 

Benny Smith was the difference maker for Rose-Hulman leading the team with a career-high 21 points. Smith finished the game shooting 7-10 from the field and 5-7 from beyond the arc. Daniel Savovic was another productive scorer finishing the game with 15 points. Simon Blair led the team on the glass with a team-high eight rebounds. 

After trailing 12-10 in the first seven minutes of play, Savovic put the Fightin' Engineers in front with a made three-pointer to make the score 13-12 halfway through the first half. Rose-Hulman would build on that lead, standing ahead of the Lions 31-21 at the halftime break. 

Rose-Hulman continued to build on their lead in the second half. An incredible steal by Miles McGowen after laying out on the hardwood led to a break-away dunk by Cole Pride that got the crowd going and pushed the momentum into Rose-Hulman's favor. A made jump shot by Savovic on the next possession gave the Fightin' Engineers their largest lead of the game with a score of 49-26. 

The team held off the Lions to secure the victory and keep their season alive. Rose-Hulman finished the game shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three. The Fightin' Engineers also out-rebounded the Lions 36-31. 

The Fightin' Engineers will advance to face Franklin College in the semifinal round hosted by Anderson University on Friday, February 28.