SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A strong second-quarter effort was enough for RPI, as a late Skidmore College women's basketball rally fell short in a 74-64 defeat in Liberty League action at the Williamson Sports Center Saturday afternoon.
 
Skidmore falls to 5-14 overall and 4-8 in conference. RPI improves to 9-8 and 4-6.
 
Skidmore was deadly from 3-point range early on, making 4-of-9 treys to stake an early 18-9 lead. The Engineers scored the last four points of the quarter, as the Thoroughbreds held an 18-13 lead.
 
RPI attacked the offensive boards in the second quarter and held the Skidmore offense in check, outscoring Skidmore by a 20-4 margin, taking an 11-point lead into halftime.
 
RPI extended its lead to as many as 17 points in the third quarter before Skidmore chipped away at the deficit late. The Thoroughbreds scored eight straight points in the paint and ended the quarter with a deep 3-pointer by Clare Driscoll. They outscored RPI 11-6 in the final 4:37, trailing 50-38 in the fourth.
 
Skidmore made its final push in the fourth quarter, reducing the deficit to as few as eight points on a pair of occasions. RPI would make 16-of-20 free throws in the fourth quarter to hold the Thoroughbreds at bay.
 
Kate McCarney made the most of her fourth career start, leading the team with 15 points and four assists, knocking down four 3-pointers. Haley English added 11 points and two steals off the bench. Taylor Ong and Lilly Berg each added 10 points, while Jessica Centore added six points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
 
LaKissa Martin led RPI with 20 points and eight rebounds. Celia Tomlinson (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Ines Ortega (16 points, 11 rebounds) each tallied double-doubles.

Skidmore will begin a four-game road trip next weekend, traveling to Ithaca on Friday in a 5 p.m. start.