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Utica, N.Y. – Freshman Ines Ortea scored a team-high 14 points and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's basketball team closed out the fall semester with a 51-47 victory over Utica College. The Engineers improve to 5-4, while the Pioneers fall to 2-6.

Utica and RPI traded baskets throughout the first quarter until UC edged ahead with a 10-6 lead with two minutes remaining. The Engineers then went on a 6-0 run in the final 1:46 of the first to take a 12-10 lead. The Pioneers tied the game, 16-16, with 5:15 left in the first half and then went on a small run in 1:37 to take a 20-17 with 2:59 before halftime. RPI closed the half strong on a 7-0 run in just one minute and held a 24-20 edge at halftime.
 
The Engineers opened the second half on an 8-2 run in the first 2:13 for a 32-22 lead with 7:47 left in the quarter, but the Pioneers answered with a 10-0 run to tie the game at 32-32, with 3:10 remaining in the third. With two seconds left before the fourth, Utica's Ashelyne Babb hit a 3-point shot to give Utica a 37-36 lead heading into the final period.

The two teams went back and forth as the game was tied at 45-45 with only 2:37 remaining in the game. RPI made six of eight free throw attempts down the stretch to clinch the four-point victory. Three of the made shots came from senior Lauren Young.

Ortea added six rebounds to go along with three steals, while Elizabeth Eckhardt tallied nine points and three steals. Julianna O'Neill grabbed eight rebounds and scored six points and Young totaled seven points, seven assists and six rebounds. Shaina Iton had eight rebounds, scored four points and blocked two shots for the Engineers, who out rebounded Utica, 46-33.
 
Ashley Mayo posted her sixth double-digit scoring performance of the season, as she led all players with 16 points to go along with six rebounds. Rachel Hunter added 10 points and freshman Nicolette Conkin (Los Altos, CA/Homestead) posted a career-high four steals with six rebounds.