Skidmore (9-6, 6-1 Liberty League) at Rensselaer (6-10, 1-6 Liberty League
Game Details: Friday, Jan. 20 | 6 p.m.
Location: Troy, N.Y. – East Campus Stadium
Game Links: Stats | Video
Skidmore: Roster | Stats
Rensselaer: Roster | Stats
 
Skidmore (9-6, 6-1 Liberty League vs. Bard (0-13, 0-5 Liberty League)
Game Details: Saturday, Jan. 21 | 2 p.m.
Location: Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – Williamson Sports Center
Game Links: Stats | Video
Skidmore: Roster | Stats
Bard: Roster | Stats
 
 
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – With the Liberty League schedule at its midway point, the Skidmore College women's basketball team looks to the second half of the schedule with a pair of games against Rensselaer and Bard this weekend.
 
The Thoroughbreds travel to RPI for a Friday evening contest at 6 p.m., before returning home to take on Bard on Saturday 2 p.m.
 
The Thoroughbreds (9-6 overall) come into the halfway point of the league season with a strong 6-1 record in league play, sitting in second place in the league standings.
 
Skidmore went 2-1 last week. On Tuesday, junior guard Kelly Donnelly scored her 1,000th career point and grabbed a career-best 19 rebounds to lead the Thoroughbreds to a 60-46 win at Clarkson. On Friday against RIT, Skidmore's offense came alive, tying a season-high 71 points in the 71-60 victory in Rochester. The Thoroughbreds' six-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday, falling 65-44 at William Smith.
 
The Thoroughbreds continue to be the league's stingiest defense, allowing a league-best 34.6 percent shooting from the field. During the six-game win streak, the Thoroughbreds allowed 54.3 points per game, and shot well on the other end, shooting at a 41 percent clip from the field. Skidmore also moved the ball well; in five of their six victories, the Thoroughbreds notched 12 or more assists. Skidmore is 8-1 this season when the team dishes out 10 or more assists.
 
Rensselaer comes into the weekend with a 6-10 record overall and a 1-6 record in league play. The Engineers are one of the top rebounding teams in the league, they lead the way with an impressive 15.7 offensive rebounds per game. They also defend the arc well, as opponents are shooting just 27.2 percent from 3-point range.
 
Leading the way is the guard duo of Sam Krumbhaar and Elizabeth Eckhardt. Krumbhaar leads the team in scoring (11.1) and steals (32), while Eckhardt averages 10.3 points per game and 3.0 rebounds. Forward Shaina Iton is third in the league in rebounding at 10.5 per game, and has grabbed the most offensive rebounds (73).
 
The last time these two teams played was on Jan. 7 in Saratoga Springs. Three Skidmore players, Donnelly, guard Veronica Moceri, and guard Haley English, scored in double figures as the Thoroughbreds defeated the Engineers 62-53.
 
Bard comes into the weekend sporting an 0-13 record and an 0-5 mark in league play. The Raptors will take on Union at home on Friday before making the trip north to Saratoga Springs.
 
Forward Alexis Akingbade is one of the league's best offensive rebounders. She leads the league with 5.0 offensive caroms per game, and is second with 10.7 total rebounds per contest. Forward and team captain Annie Kissel leads the team with 10.0 points per game, shooting 37.5 percent from the field. This is the first meeting this season between the two teams. Last season, the Thoroughbreds swept the season series, and has won 10 straight games in the all-time series.