TROY, N.Y. - Freshman Heather Converse broke a tie score with a pair of free throws and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's basketball team scored the final seven points in defeating Skidmore College 63-56 in a Liberty League contest at East Campus Arena. The Engineers stay perfect in the conference at 5-0 with an overall record of 9-3. The Thoroughbreds drop to 0-5 and 2-10.

With the scored tied at 56-56 with a minute to play, Converse was fouled on an defensive rebound. With Rensselaer in the bonus, she went to the free throw line for two shots and made both. Following a Skidmore missed layup, Celia Tomlinson was fouled in the act of shooting and proceeded to make both shots for a four-point edge. Ines Ortea connected on one free throw after another Thoroughbreds miss with 22 second remaining and then hit a jumper for the 63-56 victory.

The game was close throughout with the visitors holding a 16-15 lead after the first quarter and the game tied at 30-30 at halftime. Skidmore outscored the Engineers by seven points in the third (18-11), but a 22-8 fourth quarter for RPI secured the victory. Three of RPI's six baskets in the final frame were from three-point range and it was 7 of 8 from the free throw line. The Thoroughbreds were just 3 of 13 from the field in the fourth, including 0 for 4 from behind the arc.

Tomlinson, a senior, led all players in both points with 18 and rebounds with 12. Courtney Lewis had 14 points (4 of 6 from three) and Ortea had 11 points with six rebounds. Senior Sam Krumbhaar had eight points, including the 1000th of her career, along with six rebounds.

Jessica Centore led Skidmore with 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Kate McCarney added 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Skidmore travels to action at Clarkson University for a conference game on Friday. Rensselaer visits RIT in its first Liberty League road game of the year, also on Friday. Both contests begin at 5:30pm.