This weekend, the RPI women’s basketball team hit the road to take on Union College at the Viniar Athletic Center in Schenectady. It was the first of back-to-back games, as the Red Hawks would then head to Skidmore the very next day before returning home.
Against the Dutchwomen, Rensselaer came out firing on all cylinders. They jumped out to a 10-0 advantage with baskets from junior Kristi Baranowski, freshman Whitney Coleman, and sophomore Tory Lyons, stealing the momentum and forcing their opponent to take a timeout.
Union, however, stormed right back in a matter of minutes and tied the game. The score would then waver back and forth for some time with various lead changes as both teams fought hard to gain ground. Unfortunately, the turning point came with less than four minutes remaining in the half. Union proceeded to go on a 13-3 run, giving them a nine point lead, 47-38, as both teams headed into the break.
Not only was this a tough way to finish the period, but it also proved to be RPI’s downfall, as the women, despite their hard-fought intensity, were unable to come back from the deficit.
In the second half, the Red Hawks did all they could to get back into the game, but would only come as close as seven, which was right at the start of the session. Union got solid efforts from numerous players, including two 20-point efforts from Erika Eisenhut, with 27 points, and Krystal Hammond, with 22 points.
Union improves to 11-5 and 5-1 in Liberty League play, while RPI had to tack a tough loss on to their total at this late juncture in the season.
RPI was led by the always-stellar Baranowski, who had another double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while freshman Caitlyn Charest chipped in with 12.
Day games after night games can always be difficult and a test of endurance and character, which is exactly what the Rensselaer women have. The success for the Red Hawks on this day once again was a consistent effort from the majority of the team, with virtually every player making a different contribution.
The duration of the first half was an even battle between the two teams with the lead changing multiple times. Baranowski scored a bucket with 43 seconds remaining in the half, which gave the Hawks the lead from that point up until the end of the game.
RPI had 27 bench points in addition to 20 points off turnovers, and though the game was close throughout its entirety, the Red Hawks were able to hold off Skidmore’s Thoroughbreds. Rensselaer outscored their opponent by three points in each period and as a result ended up winning by six, with a final score of 72-66.
Lyons had a game high with 18 points and totaled six rebounds. Baranowski had another consistent effort with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Coleman and freshman Kristin Danbury added 10 points apiece.
Krystal Coke was Skidmore’s standout with a double-double of her own, 17 points and 12 boards, while Kellye Caufield tallied 15 points of her own. Rensselaer’s record now stands at 10-6 and 4-3 in Liberty League play, and the team has an important stretch of games coming up ahead. They will need a good run to finish out the season among the league’s best.
RPI will be on the road again this weekend for another two-day affair. Game one will be on Friday at 6 pm against St. Lawrence, and then the women will take on Clarkson at 2 pm the next day.
