Box Score TROY, N.Y. - The Skidmore College women's basketball team (12-13, 10-6 Liberty League) will make its return to the Liberty League Tournament for the first time since 2009-2010.  The Thoroughbreds clinched the No. 3 seed, Saturday afternoon despite a 64-61 loss to Rensselaer (14-11, 8-8).
 
Skidmore controlled the tempo in the first three minutes of action, shooting five-for-five from the floor for a 10-5 lead.  Neither team was able to solve the other as the first half featured six lead changes and three ties.  Rensselaer had a two point advantage at the 4:15 mark before Skylar Caligaris connected on back-to-back threes to give the Thoroughbreds a 33-29 lead.  As time expired in the first half, Skidmore held the lead, 37-35.
 
The Thoroughbreds got off to a slow start in the second half, surrendering the lead after the Engineers orchestrated a 17-2 run stretching back to the final seconds of the first half.  Down by 11 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the stanza, Skidmore began to show signs of a comeback when Jordyn Wartts  and Dani DeGregory combined for six points to bring the Thoroughbreds within striking distance.  Skidmore pulled to within six points before a Caligaris foul sent Bailei Tetrault to the charity stripe for two more RPI points with 4:33 left in the half.  Those would be the last points RPI would score until 27 seconds remained in the game.  Skidmore's defense set the tone in the game's final minutes, leading to nine unanswered points resulting in a 61-60 lead for the Thoroughbreds.  Skidmore called a timeout to make defensive substitutions, but on the ensuing possession RPI penetrated and drew the foul, putting Ashley Clough at the line where she sank both free-throws to put the Engineers in front 62-61. 
 
Skidmore had a chance to tie the game on its final possession, but it was not to be as RPI prevailed 64-61.
 
Angela Botiba had another strong game for Skidmore, scoring 18 points to go along with six rebounds and five steals.  DeGregory and Wartts each had 11 points while McLaughlin had eight points and three assists.
 
RPI had four players reach double-figures in the win.  Amanda Lynch had a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds.  Sarah Wetmore nearly had a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds.  She also added six assists.  Clough contributed 11 points while Tetrault chipped in 10.
 
Skidmore's focus now shifts to Wednesday when it faces St. Lawrence in a semifinal matchup.