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TROY, N.Y. – Senior forward Hillary McKinley notched a double-double lead the Rensselaer women's basketball to a non-league, 86-46, victory over The Sage Colleges, in its home opener from East Campus Arena. With the win, the Engineers improve to 2-2 overall, while the Gators drop to 1-3.

McKinley (Quinebaug, CT/Tourtellotte Memorial) did the majority of her damage in the opening 20 minutes, scoring 16 of her game-high 19 points and grabbing 12 of her game-best 19 rebounds in the first half. Classmate Lauren Hayes (Rensselaer, NY/Columbia) staked the hosts to their first double-digit lead (12-2), just 2:55 into the contest.

The Engineers continued to pull away early, as a McKinley lay-up with 12:30 to go in the half gave RPI a 24-5 edge. Freshman Amanda Lynch (Middle Town, NY/John Burke Catholic) and senior Nicole Monroe (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) then hit back-to-back buckets with 8:24 remaining the opening stanza for a commanding 30-7 lead.

A jumper by Sage freshman Amie Jefferson (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) quelled the run momentarily, but a three-pointer by RPI sophomore Meg Denison (Colrain, MA/Northfield Mount Hermon) put the hosts on top by 27 (40-13), with 5:02 remaining the first half.

Rensselaer freshman Michelle Reid (Derry, NH/Pinkerton Academy) pushed the Engineers' lead to its largest of the first half at 46-16, with 2:43 to play in the first. Jefferson came back with a lay-in, which was followed by a bucket by classmate Megan Bowman (Saranac, NY/Saranac) to bring the halftime score to 51-26.

The Engineers went on a 14-4 run to open the second half, putting the game out of reach. A jump shot by sophomore Kyleigh Oliveira (Agawam, MA/Agawam) and a three by Lynch capped the scoring run.

Jefferson brought the Gators back to within in 27 (68-41), before another RPI run pushed its advantage back to 35. Two baskets by Reid to close out the game made it an 86-46 score before the final horn sounded.

Aiding McKinley for Rensselaer was senior Sarah Wetmore (Sudbury, MA/Lincoln Sudbury Regional) who dropped in 14 points, to go along with three rebounds and six assists. Freshman Jen Rock (Byfield, MA/Triton Regional) chipped in with 10 points, three boards and a team-best seven assists.

Leading the Gators was Bowman and junior Carly Vallee (East Greenbush, NY/Catholic Central), who had eight points apiece. Bowman also had four assists.

The Engineers return to action on December 1 and 2, when take part in the Salisbury University Optimist Tournament. Sage hosts Hartwick next Tuesday (7pm).