The win improved the Red Hawks to 7-2 on the season and gave them an impressive 5-1 mark over the Christmas break.

Despite the final score, the game was never a close contest.

Rensselaer dominated Keene State from the start opening the game with an 11-2 run and taking a commanding 35-20 lead into halftime.

The Red Hawks’ defense was stifling in the first half as they forced Keene State to shoot just 20 percent from the floor and caused a number of turnovers.

However, in the second, Keene State shot the ball better, made fewer mistakes, and actually forced Rensselaer to turn the ball over as they slowly chipped away at the lead.

Despite the constant pressure applied by Keene, the 15-point first half lead proved too much to overcome as the Red Hawks on to the victory.

Kaitlyn Saunders and Caitlin Vestal added 17 and 11 points of their own, respectively, for Rensselaer, and Vestal posted a double-double grabbing a game high 10 rebounds. Jacqueline Ferrari also had a solid game for Rensselaer with six points and 10 boards as well.

Saunders’ 17 point, six rebound, four assist performance was just another spectacular showing by the junior forward.

Saunders was recently named UCAA Forward of the Week for her exceptional play over the past several games. She has averaged a team high 19.3 points per game along with 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 6.5 steals. Saunders had a season high 26-point game in an 87-75 win over Randolph Macon in the Cruzin’ Classic in West Palm Beach, Florida. Saunders was also selected to the All-Tournament team as the Red Hawks won the Cruzin’ Classic with a convincing 73-47 victory over Chestnut Hill.

Returning from the trip south The Red Hawks entered—and played well—in the Salem State Tournament where they took second place overall.

After coasting by Babson College with a 19-point victory, the Red Hawks finally ran into some competition as Salem State gave Rensselaer all they could handle in what turn out to be a very sloppy game.

Both teams shot well in the first half with Salem State boasting a 42 percent field percentage while Rensselaer posted a respectable 38 percent.

In the second the game changed drastically as both teams struggled from the field and turned the ball over. The two teams combined for 50 turnovers, with Rensselaer holding a slight advantage (23 to 27) in that department.

Salem made up for its careless play with solid shooting as they shot above 35 percent from the field compared to just 25 percent for the Red Hawks.

Ferrari and Vestal both posted double-doubles for Rensselaer. Ferrari had a game high 16 points and 10 rebounds while Vestal added 12 points and 10 boards of her own.

Rensselaer’s 74-67 win over Middlebury saw the Red Hawks make a excellent second half comeback.

The Red Hawks trailed Middlebury 36-31 at the half but then exploded out of the gate going on a 10-4 run to regain the lead.

With control of the scoreboard, Rensselaer never looked back. The Red Hawks slowly added to the lead through solid defense and good shooting, eventually expanding to a 15-point margin several times throughout the second half.

Kaczynski had a team high 18 points, while Saunders (17), Vestal (15), and Ferrari (12) also reached double figures. Ferrari also posted another double-double with a team high 10 rebounds as well.