TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute women's basketball team relied on a solid effort from its senior class to defeat Skidmore College, 74-62, in Liberty League action Saturday afternoon at Robison Gym. With the win, the Red Hawks are now 16-5 overall and 8-3 in conference play. The Thoroughbreds drop to 9-14 and 6-6 in the Liberty League.
The Red Hawks set the tone early in the opening half, going on a 14-2 run through the first eight minutes of the contest, including five points from senior guard Kerry Hayes (Nashua, NH/Nashua North).
RPI built up a 10-point lead (26-26) with just over four minutes left in the first half, and held a 28-16 advantage before Skidmore found its way back. Sophomore Christine Kemp (Putnam Valley, NY/Putnam Valley) and rookie Megan Gaugler (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) cut the deficit to 30-21, but a shot by senior Caitlyn Charest (Swansea, MA/LaSalle Academy) with a minute to go, made it a 32-21 lead which the Red Hawks carried into the intermission.
Momentum continued to swing in Rensselaer's favor to open the second half as freshman Sarah Wetmore (Sudbury, MA/Lincoln Sudbury Regional) scored the bucket and drew a foul eight seconds into the half for a three-point play and a 35-21 lead.
Back-to-back trips to the charity stripe by Charest continued to solidify the RPI lead (64-43) and Coleman pushed it to a 23-point advantage with 6:51 left in the game. The Thoroughbreds attempted to close the gap late in the game, going on a 9-2 run through the final 2:20, but could not complete the comeback.
Skidmore saw junior Sharlyn Harper (New York, NY/Holderness) post 13 points and four rebounds while Gaugler finished with 12 points and a team-best five rebounds.
Skidmore hosts Hamilton and William Smith next weekend.
