Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -  In a game marked by dramatic runs made by both teams, it was the Vassar College women's basketball team's final spurt that proved the difference in a 69-64 Liberty League victory over Rensselaer on Tuesday night at the Athletics & Fitness Center.

Down 49-48 with 9:25 to play, the visiting Engineers went on a 7-0 spurt – highlighted by a 3-pointer from sophomore guard Courtney Reynolds – to take a 55-49 lead with 7:19 remaining. Vassar proceeded to wield off a 9-0 run, highlighted by its own 3-pointer from junior guard Cydni Matsuoka, to lead 58-55 with 4:08 left. The sporadic play ended there, though RPI did come within 65-64 with 48 seconds to play after a layup by sophomore guard Jen Rock. But with time expiring on the shot clock, Vassar sophomore forward Colleen O'Connell drained a big jumper from the right corner to push Vassar ahead 67-64 and secure the victory.

RPI's all-court defensive pressing kept the Engineers in the contest, but it also led to 22 Vassar fast break points, six of which came in the game's final four minutes when RPI was in comeback mode. During this stretch four other Brewer buckets came in transition.

The beneficiary of this frenetic action was Vassar junior forward Hannah Senftleber, who tied a career-high with 28 points, leaking out on the break for 12 transition points. Senftleber had 20 of her points in the first half.

The victory improves Vassar to 10-2, 3-1. RPI falls to 9-5, 3-2. Vassar returns to action this Friday at 6:00 p.m. hosting Skidmore. RPI will have a week off before next hosting Bard on January 22 at 6:00 p.m.

RPI, which built a 24-17 first half lead, capitalized on cold Vassar shooting and relying on the inside play of graduate student Sarah Wetmore and slashing game of Rock. But at the 9:05 mark, the game had one of its many momentum swings. Vassar went on a 13-2 run to take a 30-26 lead with 2:41 to play. In that stretch, Senftleber scored seven of Vassar's points and Mastsuoka had five. RPI tied the score 30-30 on a layup by sophomore guard Amanda Lynch, but Senftleber's fast break layup at the buzzer pushed the Brewers ahead 35-32.

A bucket by O'Connell in the opening seconds of the second half provided Vassar with a 37-32 cushion, but the rugged inside play of Wetmore tied the contest at 39-39 with 16:29 to play. The game wouldn't be tied again, but Vassar managed to build another five point margin, 47-42, after a layup by freshman guard Alex Moon at 11:28 mark. However, six straight RPI points, punctuated by a layup by freshman Ashley Clough put the Engineers ahead 48-47 and led to RPI's 55-49 lead.

Vassar then swung the game's momentum back in its favor with its 9-0 spurt and a 58-55 advantage.

Senftleber's career-tying best 28 points was her highest since a 28-point outing against St. Lawrence on February 4, 2011. She earned a double-double with 17 rebounds, a new career-high. Matsuoka had 12 points and nine assists.

Wetmore was relentless in scoring her 20 points and adding 12 rebounds. Sophomore guard Bailei Tetrault had an effective 13 points and Rock added 10 points.