POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's basketball team battled with the top team in the Liberty League on Saturday afternoon, as the Engineers fell to the Vassar College Brewers by a final score of 53-44. With the win, Vassar's record improves to 22-1 overall on the season and a perfect 16-0 in conference action while the Engineers drop to 7-15 overall and 4-11 in Liberty League play.

First Half

• The Engineers took an early 8-3 lead to open the first quarter as Siena Smith tallied five points and Nicole DaPra knocked down a three-pointer.
• Vassar drew even at eight following three free throws from Harvey and a layup from sophomore Bella Tawney with 5:15 remaining in the opening period.
• Vassar closed the opening quarter on a 11-0 run with sophomore Sierra McDermed recording five points while Gelb added four to take a 19-13 lead after one quarter.
• The Brewers lead grew to nine at the 5:27 mark of the second quarter on back-to-back buckets from Gelb.
• RPI got the lead down to seven on a lay-in from Marley Mueller at the three minute mark before Vassar closed the half on a 5-2 run with Gelb knocking down a three and sophomore Naiya Kurnik laying one to take a 30-20 lead at the half.
• Vassar closed the first half shooting 31-percent from the field while connecting on three three-pointers and outscored RPI by nine at the free throw line.
• The Engineers were limited to 28.6-percent in the first half and made four triples in the half.

Second Half

• Vassar's lead grew to a game-high 12 points three times in the third quarter as Harvey's layup with 6:27 to go put the Brewers ahead 36-24.
• RPI countered with a 9-2 run to trim the lead down to 38-33 with 3:40 to go on a lay-in from Sophie Costello.
• Two free throws from Tyler Hormazabal just before the end of the third period put the Engineers within four.
• To open the fourth quarter, a driving bucket from McDermed and two free throws from Harvey pushed the Brewers ahead by eight with 8:35 to go.
• The Engineers responded with five straight points, cutting it to a one-possesion game with seven minutes left on a three from Danielle Strauf and a lay-in from DaPra.
• Vassar answered once again as the Brewers scored eight straight points with two Gelb free throws putting Vassar ahead by double digits with 3:50 to go.
• RPI was only able to get the lead down to nine in the final four minutes as junior Tash Thompson's bucket put the Brewers ahead by 11 at the 1:34 mark.
• Vassar was held to 23.1-percent shooting in the second half but converted seven more free throws than the Engineers.
• RPI finished the second half at 33.3-percent overall and connected on two triples.

For The Brewers

• Gelb recorded her 10th double-double of the season as she finished with 14 points, 18 rebounds (tying her career-high), five assists, four steals and two blocks.
• Harvey added her first double-double of the season as the junior tallied 14 points and 13 boards.
• McDermed was the third player in double figures as the sophomore recorded 14 points, four rebounds, three blocks and two assists.

For The Engineers

• Smith led the way with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds while also adding four assists, two blocks and two steals.
• Strauf tallied eight points, seven boards, six assists and two blocks while Ahnalese Pearson recorded six points.

Game Statistics

• Vassar finished the game shooting 27.3-percent from the field and connected on three three-pointers.
• RPI closed the contest shooting 30.9-percent overall, including 6-for-18 from three-point distance.
• Vassar outscored the Engineers by 16 at the free throw line.
• The Brewers held a 13-10 edge in points off turnovers, 14-4 in second chance points and 22-20 in points in the paint.

Up Next

• RPI travels to North Country to square off with Clarkson on Friday.