Women take over Liberty League lead

Box Score TROY, N.Y. - Skidmore College scored 29 of the game's first 32 points and the Thoroughbreds were never challenged from that point on in defeating the the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's basketball team, 64-41, in a game between the two teams atop the Liberty League standings. Skidmore takes sole possession the top spot with a 4-0 conference mark (8-5 overall), while RPI falls to second place at 3-1. The Engineers are 7-6 overall.

The Thoroughbreds scored the first 13 points of the game, holding Rensselaer scoreless until 10:06 had elapsed on the clock. Five different players scored in that stretch for the visitors with freshman Kelly Donnelly (Wynantskill, NY / Averill Park) getting the game's first four points. After an Amanda Lynch (Middletown, NY / John S. Burke) free throw put the Engineers on the scoreboard, Skidmore scored the next seven points, five from Amber Holgate (Easton, MA / St. Andrew's), for a 20-1 advantage with 8:58 left in the first half. RPI's first field goal came from Lynch 1:28 later, but the Thoroughbreds went on another run, this one of six points for the 26-point advantage with 5:40 left in the first frame.

The Thoroughbreds led 36-11at halftime by shooting 46.9% from the field (15 of 32) in the first 20 minutes, while holding Rensselaer to 11.4% (4 of 35). Eight different players had points for Skidmore at the break, led by Donnelly's eight points. She also had six rebounds. Holgate had seven points at halftime, while Molly McLaughlin (Westwood, MA / Westwood) had five points, five assists, two rebounds and a steal. Freshman Shaina Iton (Peekskill, NY / Peekskill) had four points, three rebounds, three blocks and a steal for RPI in the first half.

Though the second half was much like the first, the Engineers outscored Skidmore, 30-28.

Sophomore Migle Vilunaite (Vilinius, Lithuania / Holderness School) paced Skidmore with 12 points, along with 12 rebounds in only 16 minutes. Senior Angela Botiba (Douala, Cameroon / Stoneleigh Burnham) added 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, alogn with three blocks and an assist, while Donnelly, a guard, had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Iton led RPI in both points with 12 and rebounds with 10. She also had four blocks and two steals. Skidmore travels to Clarkson University on Tuesday night (6pm).

"Today our team brought their hard hats on the road and played all out," said Skidmore coach Darren Bennett. "Our defense played with as much spark and energy in all areas thank we have all year, especially in the first half today. RPI has been putting up a lot of points and playing strong defense with their combination press into zone defense. We've been implementing small pieces everyday and we were able to put it all together today with great results.

"Our bench stepped up again today on both ends of the floor and as that continues to happen in conjunction with our starting group we will continue to get better and better. We have to continue to get better at finishing games regardless of the score and that's something we discussed today. The importance of playing a complete games means a lot.

"We've got another very tough road game coming up on Tuesday at Clarkson. They've been playing great all year and are hungry for their moment."

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Players Mentioned

#21 Angela Botiba: F; 6' 0"; Senior

#24 Amber Holgate: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#32 Molly McLaughlin: G; 5' 5"; Senior

#14 Migle Vilunaite: C/F; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#5 Kelly Donnelly: G; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#21 Angela Botiba
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

#24 Amber Holgate
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#32 Molly McLaughlin
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G

#14 Migle Vilunaite
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: C/F

#5 Kelly Donnelly
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: G