Box Score SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.-- Rensselaer won a Liberty League women's basketball battle 75-71 in overtime over Skidmore College, Friday at the Williamson Center.
The loss snaps a seven-game home win streak for the Thoroughbreds, who are 14-8 overall and 10-3 in conference play. The Engineers improve to 13-9 and 9-4.
Angela Botiba and
Kelly Donnelly had double/doubles for Skidmore. Botiba scored 10 points and had a game-high 14 rebounds. Donnelly contributed 13 points and 10 boards.
Ella Scheuerell added 10 points and
Amber Holgate scored 11.
Molly McLaughlin had a game-high nine assists.
Ashley Clough scored 23 points and had three assists for RPI, while Amanda Lynch totaled 22 points.
The game featured 11 lead changes and four ties.
Holgate gave Skidmore a 66-61 lead with 1:01 to play in regulation. The Engineers cut it to three on a Lynch jumper with :50 left. RPI got the ball back off a turnover and Clough hit a three from the top of the arc to force with :23 on the clock to force the overtime.
McLaughlin hit a clutch three at the 3:42 mark of overtime to put the Thoroughbreds in front 69-67. RPI then went on an 8-0 run, capped by a pair of free throws by Bailei Tetrault, with :23 left for a 75-69 lead.
Donnelly scored with 15 seconds left to close it to 75-71, but the Engineers were able to run the clock out.
The Thoroughbreds had a 59-45 advantage in rebounds and scored 22 second chance points off 27 offensive rebounds.
"Tonight our kids found out exactly how tough playing in our conference is." said Skidmore coach
Darren Bennett. "We are playing games down the stretch and because the top of the conference is so packed we are playing to get in the tournament. We are not playing for seed, or home court, we are playing to be one of the four teams in and we did not do what we had to do tonight.
"The RPI zone was very solid, active, and moved well over the entire floor and we were not able to hit any shots from the perimeter consistently to soften it up or drive the ball or get it inside enough to move the zone. We were not strong when we did battle and were able to get to the free throw line and we were not focused and aggressive close to the rim, so missed some less challenging lay ups. Those two things can get you a lot of points, free throws and lay ups or cause you an extreme amount of displeasure and tonight we experienced the latter.
"Their big players showed up tonight and carried their team to a strong road win.
"We have to really turn up our engines and focus on the task at hand to get back on track. Our road will not be easy with three regular season games remaining versus three very strong teams, but I know we have it in us to do what we do and to play a certain way and get the job done."
