POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Vassar College outscored Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) by 16 points in the fourth quarter to turn an 11-point deficit into a five-point win, downing the Engineers 58-53 in a Liberty League women's basketball game. The first place Brewers improve to 13-1 in the conference and 14-6 overall, while RPI drops to 2-11 and 3-15. 

After shooting better than 50 percent from the field in the first half, the Engineers cooled off in the third and then managed to make just one field goal in the fourth quarter when they were outscored 19-3. Vassar connected on five shots on the other end, including four three pointers, and eventually took the lead with 3:38 to play. Alex Lee was the catalyst for the home team, knocking down two three-pointers and scoring nine fourth quarter points.

RPI held a 37-27 lead at halftime thanks to making 17 of 33 shots (51.5%) from the field and holding a 28-12 rebounding advantage. Lolo Reynolds had 10 points and four boards in 18 first half minutes, while Heather Converse scored six points with seven caroms. Five others also got into the scoring column. Defensively, Rensselaer held the Brewers to 10 of 33 shooting (30.3%).

The Engineers increased their lead by a point in the third quarter, outscoring Vassar 13-12, before the edge evaporated through the first five minutes of the fourth and was lost for good following an Ashlyn O'Neil basket that put RPI ahead 52-51 with 4:30 to go. A Tova Gelb triple made it a 54-52 game.

Converse finished with 11 points and 19 rebounds for RPI, which got a dozen points apiece from Reynolds and O'Neil. Nicole DaPra added nine points and eight rebounds.

Lee scored 15 points for the Brewers, who were held to 27.7 percent (18 of 65) shooting in the game. Dani Douglas and Sarah Gilooly both had 14 points.

Rensselaer returns to the court on Tuesday with a conference game against Bard College at 5:30pm in Troy. Vassar hosts RIT on Friday at 5:30pm. Both games are Liberty League matchups.