ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – The Bard College men's basketball team could not complete a second-half comeback on Saturday afternoon as it dropped a 78-70 decision to RPI in a Liberty League game at Stevenson Athletic Center. 

Bard trailed by 18 points midway through the second half but got back within six points with four minutes left. The Raptors were within ten points with less than 45 seconds left, and RPI was able to stay composed and make free throws to secure the win. 

The first half was back-and-forth until RPI went on an 11-4 run in the last three minutes to secure a six-point lead heading into halftime. The Engineers came out hot in the second half, going on a 15-3 run to take an 18-point lead. Bard answered back with a 7-0 run to get within 11. The momentum stayed in RPI's favour and were able to keep the Raptors at bay down the stretch. 

Lazaros Panagiotounis led the Raptors with 22 points. He was 6-of-9 at the free-throw line and added six rebounds. Azriel Almodovar contributed with 16 points and added seven boards with a team-high six assists.

Sean Wilcox stuffed the stat sheet on the defensive end with seven blocked shots, surpassing his career-high of five and a career-high four steals. His seven blocks in a game is third all-time by a Raptor in a game and he became third all-time in career blocked shots. Wilcox contributed with his fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. 

Rowan Heinze contributed with eight points, eight rebounds and an assist. Jalen Umstead and Lucas Tovar each had six points, while Luke Ravitz added two points. Bard had a total of 10 blocked shots, which was a season-high. 

The Raptors are back on the road next weekend. They will play Skidmore on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Vassar on Saturday at 4 p.m.