On Friday night, the 19-1 St. Lawrence Saints rolled into town to challenge the RPI women’s basketball team at Robison Gym. The Red Hawks gave the Saints a tough challenge just two weeks ago, but dropped the contest by a slim margin. Friday was a chance for Rensselaer to get revenge.
The first half of play was a grudge match, but RPI held strong with a slight lead, maintaining the lead all the way up until the 2:27 mark, but the Saints were able to hang tough and recapture the lead. By halftime, they were up by just one point, 40-39.
When play resumed it was St. Lawrence who was playing with the lead for the majority of the second half. A late push by the Red Hawks, however, made this contest a struggle all the way until the final seconds.
With 8:58 remaining in the game, the score was tied 56-56. Both teams continued to trade baskets down the final stretch, and sophomore Elizabeth Barker’s bucket at the 1:21 mark put RPI down a single point.
As the action continued, the defense of both teams was airtight as stop after stop was made. Rensselaer possessed the ball and looked for a chance to take the lead as the game clock winded down, but the Saints put the clamps on, stealing a pass as time expired, and won the game by a score of 74-73.
“It was a tough loss. We have played them in two close games and have lost by close margins,” said Senior Kristi Baranowski. “I know St. Lawrence was happy to leave Troy with a win, but I know they don’t want to face us again in the tournament, whereas I know we can’t wait to play them again and come out victorious when it really matters,” added the forward.
Sophomore Whitney Coleman had a night to remember recording her first career triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Senior Destany Eagles scored 20 points and had six assists, while Baranowski had 19 points of her own in addition to 11 boards. St. Lawrence was led by sophomore Katie Palmer who had a game-high 30 points.
The Red Hawks returned to action the next day versus Clarkson on senior night, and took out their frustrations of the previous night’s loss on the unsuspecting Golden Knights who were unable to match their opponent’s intensity.
It was a total team effort as everyone on the team came in and contributed, while 11 players scored to fuel the RPI offense. The defense was tremendous as well, as the Rensselaer women pressured Clarkson into a poor shooting night, 6-24 from the field which amounted to 25 percent from the floor.
At the end of the first half RPI was up 34-14, and in the second it was more of the same. The Red Hawks were in complete control, going up by as much as 45 points and winning by a final score of 70-28.
Coleman was at it again for RPI, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Eagles, Baranowski, and sophomore Caitlyn Charest each added 8 points to balance out a powerful Red Hawk attack.
After the weekend split, RPI’s record now stands at 13-7. Rensselaer has five games remaining on their schedule, and will get back to work this weekend when they take on Skidmore and Union this Friday and Saturday; both games are on the road.
Focusing on the playoffs is the task at hand for the entire women’s team. “As this season winds down, my excitement, as well as the team’s, is only building,” said Baranowski. She would add, “We need to continue to play our fast-paced game and tight defense in the last few league games to secure a place in the Liberty League Playoffs.” The senior captain is supremely confident in the team’s ability and capability to win the playoffs, and make the NCAA’s for the first time since she has come to RPI.
