Box Score
TROY, N.Y. – Behind a game-high 19 points from junior forward Elizabeth Barker (Suffield, CT/Cathedral), the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women’s basketball team defeated Clarkson University, 58-35, in Liberty League action this evening. The Red Hawks improve to 12-11 overall and 7-6 in conference play. The Golden Knights fall to 3-21 and 1-12 in the league.
RPI came out dominant in the opening half, jumping out to a 6-0 lead less than four minutes into the contest. The Red Hawks played solid defense against the visiting Golden Knights, finding themselves up by ten (16-6) at 9:17 off a three-pointer by senior Missy Jackman (Danvers, MA/Danvers).
Rensselaer, which held Clarkson to just 12.0% shooting from the field in the first, maintained a double digit effort through the remainder of the half, taking a 17-point lead (25-8) into the intermission behind a 12-point, seven-rebound effort by Barker.
In the second half, the Golden Knights finally put points on the board after a nearly three-minute scoring drought on a jumper by junior Rachel Whitermore (Holliston, MA/Holliston) at 19:23. Despite pulling to within 18 (34-16) at 14:32 on a shot by freshman Sierra Noles (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park), Clarkson was unable to close the gap.
Barker led all Red Hawks’ scorers on the evening, also posting a game-high nine rebounds with two assists, a block and three steals. Jackman added 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists while senior Tory Lyons (Feeding Hills, MA/Agawam) and junior Caitlyn Charest (Swansea, MA/LaSalle Academy) each added eight points.
For Clarkson, sophomore Michelle Reddinger (Baldwinsville, NY/CW Baker) finished with eight points. She also added three rebounds. Noles also chipped in eight points with four rebounds while Whitermore had four points and a team-high six boards.
Rensselaer returns to action tomorrow afternoon when it hosts St. Lawrence at Robison Gym. Tomorrow’s game will recognize the team’s four seniors and begins at 2pm. The Golden Knights head to Poughkeepsie to face Vassar (2pm).
With the victory, Rensselaer has a chance to secure the final playoff spot in the upcoming Liberty League playoffs. Three teams (RPI, Union & Skidmore) are in the hunt for the fourth and final playoff berth. The Red Hawks can clinch with a win over St. Lawrence and a Union loss against Hamilton. Should both RPI and Union win, the Red Hawks are in based upon a 2-0 record against the Saints.
