On Friday, the Red Hawks had their biggest game of the season so far. In its home game against the Union College Dutchwomen, the women’s basketball team played hard and came out with a big win. The game was evenly matched, with neither team building a substantial lead.
In the first half, neither the Red Hawks nor the Dutchwomen could get any momentum. Both teams shot 39.3 percent from the floor and the lead volleyed back and forth. However, at the half, the Red Hawks were down two points, 29-27. But, when the break ended, RPI battled back to tie the game at 31.
Throughout the second half, both teams answered the other’s scores; freshman Sarah Wetmore sunk a three-pointer to take the lead, only to be rebuffed with a 6-0 run by Union. Nevertheless, after a grueling second half, Rensselaer was up 64-61 with 22 seconds left in regulation. Senior Elizabeth Barker, who pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds, added the last point off a free throw to conclude the scoring in the game, as RPI stunned Union with the 65-61 win.
For the Red Hawks, the game was near perfect. Three RPI players had double digits; senior guard Whitney Coleman had a team-high 18 points and a game-high four assists and two steals, while Wetmore netted 17 and senior Caitlyn Charest had 10. With the win, RPI moved to 15-5 overall on the season and 7-3 in conference play. Union, on the other hand, was dealt its second defeat in the Liberty League, falling to 9-2 in the conference and 15-6 overall.
The day after the win against Union was Senior Appreciation Day at the Armory. Coleman, Charest, Barker, Kerry Hayes, and Ellen High were honored for their hard work and dedication over the past four years. It was because of consistent senior effort that the Red Hawks were able to snatch a rare win off of the Union Dutchwomen, and they would also play a critical role in the game that day against the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds.
Hayes opened the game with five quick points, helping RPI to go on a 14-2 streak in the first eight minutes of play. Rensselaer continued to build its lead throughout the first half and opened the second half with a crushing 43-24 lead. Coleman, Charest, and Barker extended the Red Hawks’ lead even further in the second half. In the end, RPI beat Skidmore by a score of 74-62. Barker netted a double-double with 10 rebounds and tied Charest for the game-high total with 15 points. Coleman also had a double-double, as she pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds and scored 12 points.
Last night, the Red Hawks looked to extend their winning streak to four games against the Vassar College Brewers. Despite a slow first half, the women’s basketball team came back to take a 83-56 victory over the visitors. RPI is now 17-5 overall on the season and 9-3 in conference play, while the loss dropped the Brewers to 3-20 overall and 0-12 in the Liberty League. The Red Hawks have clinched a spot in the Liberty League playoffs, and conclude their regular season on the road against Clarkson University and St. Lawrence University on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Game time is 6 pm for Friday, and 4 pm for Saturday.
