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TROY, N.Y. - Sophomore guards Sam Krumbhaar and Elizabeth Eckhardt both scored 22 points and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's basketball team outscored William Smith College 20-8 in the fourth quarter on its way to a 66-52 victory over the Herons. The Engineers won for the second time in their last three games to improve to 8-15 overall and 3-11 in the Liberty League, while William Smith dropped its third straight in falling to 16-7 and 10-4. 

RPI led for the majority of the first half, taking a 33-21 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Engineers had five three-pointers (5 of 10) in the first 20 minutes, while William Smith connected on just 1 of 8 attempts from behind the arc. Eckhardt was 3 of 4 from three-point range and had 11 first half points, while Krumbhaar scored nine points. Rensselaer's defense held the visitors to 22.6% (7 of 13) shooting overall in the first half.

Sophomore Mia Morrison led the Herons with 10 first half points.

William Smith turned things around in the third quarter, outscoring the Engineers 23-13 to trail by only two points (46-44) heading into the fourth. After Rensselaer scored five of the first seven points in the second half, the Herons tallied 17 unanswered - from six different scorers - for a 39-38 lead. Eckhardt countered with a conventional three-point play for a two-point RPI lead with just over two minutes remaining in the period. Krumbhaar followed with a layup for a 43-39 edge 34 seconds later. The teams traded baskets and Morrison ended the frame with two free throws.

The Engineers regained control by scoring the first eight points of the fourth - five from Eckhardt and three from Krumbhaar - for a 54-44 advantage with five minutes left. A Morrison basket pulled the visitors to within eight points 30 seconds later but the Herons would get no closer. 

Krumbhaar finished with five field goals and 11 free throws for her 22 points. She also had two rebounds, a pair of assists and a steal in 25 minutes off the bench. Eckhardt hit 8 of 18 shots, including 5 of 8 from three-point range, with a free throw. She added six rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes. Junior Shaina Iton led the Engineers with 11 rebounds to go with six points, five blocks and a steal. 

Morrison finished with 22 points, five rebounds, an assist and two steals on the other end. Melanie Patterson scored 10 points and Alyssa DiCampli had five points and a team-best 11 rebounds.

RPI returns to the court on Friday when it travels to Vassar College (6pm). William Smith hosts Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) on Wednesday at 6pm. Both games are Liberty League contests.