Box Score Box Score / Post-Game Press Conference (video)

TROY, N.Y. – Graduate student Whitney Coleman scored a game-high 22 points and added 10 rebounds to lead the Rensselaer women's basketball team to a 62-57 victory over William Smith, this at East Campus Arena. With the win the Engineers improve to 14-10 overall and 9-4 in the Liberty League, while the Herons fall to 7-16 (3-10 Liberty).

Coleman (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Etiwanda), who is second all-time in scoring at RPI, now trails Kaitlyn Saunders '05 by 40 points for the top spot, after tonight's performance. Coleman also recorded two assists, three blocked shots and four steals against William Smith – all team highs. Senior Amanda Brophy (Scituate, MA/Milton Academy) chipped in with nine points and five rebounds, while junior Allison Connor (Hudson, NY/Hudson) and sophomore Nicole Monroe (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) each had eight.

After the Engineers jumped out to an early lead (8-4), less than four minutes into the contest, the Herons fought their way back to take a 14-13 lead at the 13:09 mark on a three-pointer by junior Molly Danahy (Troy, NY/Troy).

Danahy hit a lay-up at 10:10 to give the visitors their largest lead of the evening at eight (21-13). William Smith held a two-possession advantage until the late stages of the opening half, when RPI sophomore Laura Easterling (Ventura, CA/Ventura) hit a wing three to pull within 32-29.

The Engineers kept the game close through the first 10 minutes of the second half, never trailing by more than six. Connor eventually put the hosts up two (40-38) at the 10:49 mark on a three-point shot after getting a nice screen by graduate student Ellen High (Plaistow, NH/Timberlane Regional).

Another three by Connor extended the Rensselaer advantage to nine points with 7:34 to play, but the Herons charged right back, pulling to within 50-47 on a pair of free throws by freshman Sarah O'Brien (Buffalo, NY/Nardin Academy). Connor, Monroe and Coleman answered with consecutive baskets to take a double-digit lead 57-47 with just over three minutes remaining.

RPI was able to hit free throws down the stretch to secure the win, including two by junior Jen Greenwood (Newton, CT/Newtown) with 15 seconds left.

Pacing the Herons was Danahy, who finished with a team-high 18 points on 7 of 17 shooting from the floor. Sophomore Kristen Kush (Fulton, NY/Fulton) dropped in 10 to go along with eight rebounds, while junior Ashlinn Barber (Spencer, NY/Spencer-Van Etten) had seven points and 12 boards.

The Engineers are back in action tomorrow afternoon in their Liberty League regular season finale against Hamilton (2pm). William Smith visits Vassar (2pm).