TROY, N.Y.—Playing in her hometown, William Smith's
Mollie Danahy registered team-highs of 18 points and four steals, but Rensselaer spoiled the homecoming, holding on for a 62-57 Liberty League women's basketball victory.
Danahy was 7-of-17 from the floor before fouling out with 15 seconds remaining. She was joined in double figures by
Kristen Kush who produced 10 points and eight rebounds.
Ashlinn Barber corralled a game-high 12 rebounds to go with seven points.
Whitney Coleman led the Engineers (14-10, 9-4) with 22 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, and three blocked shots. Neither team shot particularly well, but RPI was able to persevere on the strength of a 50-35 rebounding advantage.
William Smith boasted the largest lead of the first half (21-13 at the 10:10 mark) and carried a 32-29 lead into halftime. The Herons outshot their hosts 40.6 percent to 36.4 percent in the opening 20 minutes. Danahy and Coleman both had 10 points at the break.
In the second half,
Sydni Salvatore made a layup seven minutes in to put William Smith up 38-32. The Engineers made their comeback with 13 unanswered points to take a 45-38 with 7:56 to go.
Sarah O'Brien made a pair of free throws three minutes later that pulled the Herons to within three, but RPI countered with the game's next seven points take a double digit lead on its way to victory.
William Smith (7-16, 3-10) will close out the season at 2 p.m. on Feb. 20, when the Herons visit Vassar (9-14, 5-8).