Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) clinched the final spot in next week's Liberty League Tournament with a 69-53 win at Vassar College.  With the victory, the Red Hawks improve to 13-8 overall and 7-5 in the league, which places them in fourth place in the standings.  Vassar drops to 7-15 overall and 2-10 in the Liberty League. It was the second loss of the season for the Brewers against Rensselaer.  Vassar also dropped a 68-64 decision to the Red Hawks in Troy, NY on January 17.

Paced by three players in double figures, Rensselaer overcame two eight-point first half deficits to prevail for the third time in its last four league games. Junior forward Kristi Baranowski (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) led the way with 14 points and 11 rebounds while junior guard Destany Eagles (Conway, SC/Carolina Forest) pumped in 11 points and hit a lay up with 11 minutes remaining to give the Red Hawks a 49-47 lead.  Rensselaer remained in front the rest of the way, using a 10-2 spurt over the next six minutes to build a 59-49 lead with 5:15 to play.

Sophomore forward Tory Lyons (Feeding Hills, MA/Agawam), who provided a first half spark off the bench for Rensselaer, finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

Behind the shooting of junior guard Lizzie Evans (Campbell, CA/Pinewood School) and the play of freshman forward Sarah Ames (Lafayette, CA/Athenian), the Brewers built two leads of eight points in the first half.  Evans connected on 4-of-6 from three-point range in the opening half while Ames hit on 6-of-7 free throw attempts.  The two combined for 22 of Vassar’s 35 first half points.

With Vassar leading 29-21 at the seven-minute mark, Rensselaer rallied and claimed its first lead of the night on a jumper by Lyons.  Her basket capped an 11-2 Rensselaer run and put the Red Hawks in front 32-31 with 2:30 remaining. The two teams traded baskets in the remaining minutes and two more free throws by Ames gave the Brewers a 35-34 lead at the break.

Evans and Ames finished with 14 and 13 points respectively for Vasasr. Junior forward Rachel Cerlen (Short Hills, NJ/Milburn) added 12 points and eight rebounds in 18 minutes of action for the Brewers.

The Red Hawks close out their regular season schedule with a pair of conference games at home this weekend against Skidmore and Union.  Vassar plays the same two teams this weekend.