Box Score Box Score

POTSDAM, N.Y. - Whitney Coleman poured in 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and the Rensselaer women's basketball team won for the sixth time in seven games, defeating Clarkson, 71-59 in a Liberty League contest.  The Engineers improve to 7-6 and 2-0, while the Golden Knights are now 3-9 and 0-2.

A graduate student, Coleman (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Etiwanda) made nine field goals, including three from three-point range, and six free throws to lead all scorers.   Her 12 boards, which included 10 defensive rebounds, were also a game-high.  She nearly compiled a double-double in the opening 20 minutes with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Also reaching double digits in scoring for the Engineers was junior guard Allison Connor (Hudson, NY/Hudson), who had 13 points.

Both teams came out with strong shooting performances, making shots from the perimeter, but the pace slowed midway through the first half. Rensselaer kept up its scoring pace despite the turn in shooting percentage as the Engineers dominated the glass, especially on the offensive end with 14 rebounds off their own misses.  RPI led 40-28 at the break.

The second half started with the Engineers making a mini-run to push their lead to as many as 15 points, but the Knights began to slash to the basket, getting lay-ups and free throw chances. That strategy worked briefly, as Clarkson climbed back to within single digits, but RPI continued their inside-outside style, holding on for the 12-point win.

Carey Turner (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) finished with a solid all-around game with 14 points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals, and a block to lead Clarkson, who was outrebounded by 16 (49-33).