Box Score Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Key free throw shooting late in the game proved to be the difference as the Rensselaer women's basketball team came from behind and held on to defeat Springfield, 59-56, in game one of the Springfield/Naismith Classic.  The Engineers snap a three-game losing streak with the win and are now 4-6.  The Pride drop to 3-7.

Facing a 33-22 deficit after the opening half, Rensselaer began to mount its comeback as Linda Larsen nailed a three-pointer and junior Nicole Monroe sank a pair of free throws to make it a 35-27 game with 18:18 left on the clock.

Springfield managed to get it back to double digits, but an 11-0 run over the next six minutes, including 10 points from junior Sarah Wetmore tied the game at 38-all with 12:35 remaining.  The Pride's Rachelle Walker pulled the home team ahead by one on a free throw, but shots from the charity stripe by junior Hillary McKinley gave RPI a 40-39 lead.

McKinley's layup with 6:46 on the clock made it a five-point advantage (48-43) for the Engineers, but Springfield refused to back down, tying the contest at 48-48 on a layup by Kelly Slattery. 

A three-pointer by Allison Connor with 2:26 left made it 54-50, but once again the Pride's Slattery made it a tight game, drawing a foul with just eight seconds left to cut it to 57-56. Desperate to get possession back, Springfield fouled Larsen on the ensuing play, but her shots both went in to seal the victory.

Larsen, who also had four rebounds, went 9 of 12 from the free throw line for RPI, while Wetmore recorded her third double-double of the season with 15 points and game-best 10 rebounds.

For Springfield, Slattery had a game-high 21 points, while Kelly Murphy chipped in with 13 points.

RPI moves on to the championship of the Springfield/Naismith Classic and will face the winner of game two's match between Keene State and Tufts.  That game time is yet to be determined.