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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Vassar College scored 21 points in the fourth quarter while holding Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to nine and the Brewers defeated the Engineers 72-58 in a Liberty League women's basketball game. Ariella Rosenthal had a game-high 23 points for Vassar, which improved to 3-8 overall and 1-2 in the conference. RPI, which was led by Elizabeth Eckhardt's 19 points, drops to 5-9 and 1-4.

The game was close through the first three quarters, with Rensselaer leading by four points (18-14) after the first quarter and Vassar holding a two-point edge (31-29) at halftime. Eckhardt had 13 points at the break, while Rosenthal scored 11. Vassar shot 41.4 percent (12 for 29) from the floor and held the Engineers to 30 percent (12 for 40).

The Brewers maintained their two point lead after three quarters as both teams scored 20 points in the frame. 

In the fourth, Vassar scored seven of the first nine points, including a three-pointer by Rosenthal that made it a 58-51 lead. RPI's Ashley Clough made a pair of free throws, but the Brewers got back-to-back baskets from Caitlin Drakeley for a 62-53 lead with 4:12 remaining. The Engineers scored the next five points, all by freshman LaKissa Martin, to pull within four, but Drakeley hit a jumper for a 64-58 lead with 1:23 left on the clock. RPI was forced to foul from that point on and the Brewers knocked down 8 of 10 free throws down the stretch.

Eckhardt made five three pointers in the game, collecting 19 points with three rebounds, two assists and four steals. Martin finished with 15 points and Shaina Iton had 10 points. Lauren Young had six steals for RPI.

Rosenthal made 10 of 17 shots on the other end, including a pair of three-pointers. She also had six rebounds and four assists. Drakeley had 13 points, nine in the second half, with four rebounds and Rose Serafini had 11 points and seven rebounds.

RPI is idle until January 22 when it hosts St. Lawrence University at 6pm. Vassar returns to the floor on Friday when it hosts Skidmore College at 6pm. Both contests are Liberty League games.