Box Score Box Score

CANTON, N.Y. - Graduate student Whitney Coleman (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Etiwanda) recorded 25 points to lead the Rensselaer women's basketball team to a 79-64 victory over St. Lawrence, in the Liberty League opener for both schools. With the win, the Engineers improve to 6-6 overall (1-0 LL), while the Saints fall to 8-3 (0-1 LL).

Coleman scored her game-high 25 points on 11-of-19 shooting, while junior Allison Connor (Hudson, NY/Hudson) added 17 points. Coleman also picked up a team high eight rebounds, as Ellen High (Plaistow, NH/Timberlane Regional) trailed with seven. Laura Easterling (Ventura, CA/Ventura) led the Engineers with six assists.

The Saints struggled to find the basket in the decisive first half. Ten minutes into the opening frame, the Engineers led by 11 at 19-8. The Saints opened themselves up for some nice scoring opportunities, but couldn't seem to finish. Rensselaer grabbed momentum off a 12-1 run, extending their advantage to 34-13 with 2:26 on the clock. Freshman Kristen Orrell (Millbury, MA/Millbury) was able to chip one in off the glass to secure the Engineers, 39-20 lead at the end of the half.

In the second frame, Iris Santoni kicked off the half by sinking a jumper and a three pointer to pull within 41-22. Casey Capello followed suit, nailing a shot from beyond the arc to make the deficit to 14, just three minutes into play. With 10:30 on the clock, the Engineers found a 22 point advantage after Hillary McKinley (Quinebaug, CT/Tourtellotte Memorial) tipped one in from underneath.

With just under three minutes to go in the game, Coleman converted on a three-point play to put RPI ahead 79-62. Santoni was able to chip one in from underneath with 34 seconds left to bring the game to its final score.

The Engineers are back in action tomorrow afternoon, when they visit Clarkson (2pm).