Box Score

NORTON, Mass. - Junior Amanda Lynch recorded a double-double, but the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's basketball dropped its season opener to Trinity College (Conn.), 75-68, this evening at the Cheryl Warren-Powers '95 Memorial Tournament.

Lynch (Middletown, NY/John Burke Catholic) netted a game-high 20 points to go along with 11 rebounds for the Engineers. She also had three assists and two steals. Aiding Lynch offensively were sophomores Ashley Clough (West Chesterfield, NH/Keene) and Ellen Boucher (Williston, VT/Rice Memorial), who each had 12 points.

A well-played opening 20 minutes saw the Bantams shooting close to 45% from the floor, while holding the Engineers to just 32.4%. A balance Trinity attack was led by Hannah Brickley, who scored six of her eight points in the opening frame. The Bantams took a narrow 33-31 lead to the break.

Moriah Sweeney extended that lead to eight points (39-31) two minutes into the second half with a transition lay-up. Taylor Higgins pushed the advantage to 14 (50-36) with 13:19 on the clock.

The Engineers mounted a comeback, drawing within 61-56, with 4:18 to go, on a Lynch bucket from close range. Two quick scores the other way gave Trinity back a nine-point edge, but Rensselaer had another run in them, cutting the deficit to 68-66 with 1:10 remaining. Clough and Lynch hit back-to-back baskets, before freshman Lauren Young (Kirkwood, MO/St. Joseph Academy) stole the ball and went in for an uncontested lay-in. 

The Bantams were able to make their free throws down the stretch to seal the win. Rensselaer is in action tomorrow against Lesley (1pm).