Box Score
Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Sophomore Laura Easterling's (Ventura, CA/Ventura) three-point shot with 3:30 remaining proved to be the difference as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's basketball team rallied for a 47-40 victory over Vassar College in Liberty League action on Tuesday. With the win, the Engineers remain unbeaten in conference play at 3-0 and improve to 8-6 on the season. The Brewers are now 5-6 overall and 2-1 in the Liberty League.

Tied at 22-all after the first half of action, both teams came out flying in the second stanza, matching each other basket for basket through the first five minutes. The Engineers took the lead on a jumper by Whitney Coleman (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Etiwanda) at 15:21, but saw the momentum shift in Vassar's favor as the Brewers went on a 5-0 run for a 33-28 lead with 13:38 left.

A layup and a pair of free throws from senior Amanda Brophy (Scituate, MA/Milton Academy) helped pull the home team to within three (35-32) at 11:11, but the Brewers regained the five-point edge once more on a layup by sophomore Kristyn Tempora (Marlboro, NJ/St. John Vianney).

Rensselaer continued to chip away at the Vassar lead, pulling to within 40-38 with 7:29 on a layup by Nicole Monroe (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) before Easterling's shot gave them the lead for good four minutes later. RPI used solid defense late in the game and a huge three-pointer with 1:46 left by Coleman to secure the win.

The Brewers struck first to open the game, going on an 8-0 run to open things up. Sophomore Brittany Parks (Escondido, CA/Escondido) powered the effort, notching five points during the run. RPI took its first lead of the game at 8:05 on a layup by Monroe, but the Brewers continued to press, going back up by four (18-14) with 4:21 remaining. Finding a rhythm, the Engineers battled back from a 22-16 deficit to tie it all at 22 on an Easterling three-pointer just before halftime.

Leading the way for the Engineers was Coleman, who had a game-best 15 points and eight rebounds. Brophy added eight points and a game-high 14 rebounds, while Monroe chipped in seven points.  Easterling and junior Allison Connor (Hudson, NY/Hudson) had six points apiece.

For Vassar, Parks posted a game-high 15 points, five rebounds and a game-high five steals. Tempora added 10 points, while junior Carolyn Crampton (Reading, MA/Reading) had seven points.

Both teams return to action this weekend for Liberty League action. Rensselaer travels to Hamilton and William Smith on Friday (6pm) and Saturday (2pm), respectively, while the Brewers face the Herons on Friday and the Continentals on Saturday.