It was a little bit of déjà vu for Rensselaer women’s Head Basketball Coach John Greene in this Saturday’s crucial home match-up with the rival Dutchwomen. A year ago, on senior night against Union, Kristen Kaczynski ’04 broke the school’s career scoring record with 1,433 points. But the record would not last long; Kaitlyn Saunders scored 20 points in the Red Hawks’ 73-68 win on Saturday over the Dutchwomen to give her the scoring title with 1,436 points.
“Both players have always been team players,” Greene recollected. “Kaitlyn could score 30 points, but she would have easily traded that for a win.”
Saunders confirmed that reputation by not only leading her team in points the last two seasons, but also leading the team in charges drawn and steals. The Windsor, Conn. native has never been the flashiest of players either, but has steadily improved over four seasons, especially her jump shot on a yearly basis.
“She doesn’t necessarily do a whole lot [on offense],” Greene said. “But what she does she does really well.”
So what does Saunders “do?” She makes plays, and that is exactly what she did Saturday against the Dutchwomen. The senior captain dished out a game-high five assists and got to the free-throw line 10 times against Union. Fellow senior and co-captain Amy Morin was also solid on senior night, snatching three steals and dropping in 13 points.
However, on what was an honorable day for the seniors, and a career day for Saunders, it was a freshman who stole the show.
After leading Union by as many as nine during the second half, the Red Hawks faltered late, allowing the Dutchwomen to steal the lead on a three point play by Katlyn Cunningham with just 1:51 remaining in the contest. But Union would not hold the lead for long.
On the Red Hawks’ next possession freshman guard Missy Jackman fired and hit a three-pointer as time expired on the shot clock giving Rensselaer a one-point lead with just under a minute and a half to play. Jackman, who finished with 16 points, would hit another bomb from long range and four free-throws down the stretch to seal the game for RPI.
“She did it again,” Greene said of Jackman’s heroics. Jackman made several clutch shots in Rensselaer wins over Hamilton and William Smith earlier this season. “She had some cushion and got it off. It is really gratifying for the seniors to get this win.”
Freshman Kristi Baranowski was also solid, scoring 13 points in the win.
Greene was extremely pleased after the game because Rensselaer’s turnover count was the lowest it has been all season. RPI committed just 13 turnovers—one shy of the team goal of 12—against Union while forcing the Dutchwomen into 18.
“We have to start playing error-free basketball if we want to be competitive against teams of Union’s caliber,” Greene said.
The win over Union completed the Liberty League weekend sweep for Rensselaer, who demolished Skidmore by a score of 73-40. Saunders again led the way with 17 points in just 27 minutes of play. Destany Eagles added 15 points for Rensselaer in the blowout victory. Saunders was named Liberty League Forward of the Week and Eagles garnered the Guard of the Week award.
Tuesday night, Rensselaer’s 69-48 win over Vassar propelled the Red Hawks into a four-way tie for first place in the conference. RPI now stands at 12-10 overall, and 9-3 in the Liberty League.
Morin led RPI with 14 points, and Baranowski delivered a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Junior Rebecca Primm gave the Red Hawks some solid minutes off the bench. Primm went 5-5 from the field en route to an 11 point night.
Despite tying Union, William Smith, and St. Lawrence for the top spot in the Liberty League, Rensselaer will need to at least split in this weekend’s conference road trip against William Smith and Hamilton in order to secure a league playoff birth. Hamilton, who recently upset Liberty League leader St. Lawrence, sits two games behind the Red Hawks. RPI will square off with the Continentals in the last regular season game of the season in Clinton, N.Y on Saturday.
