Late Run Boosts RPI Past Basketball, 59-54
Game StatisticsTROY, N.Y. (Dec. 4, 2008) - Senior guard Caitlyn Charest netted a game high 19 points to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute women's basketball team to a 59-54 triumph over visiting Mount Holyoke College this evening at the Robison Gymnasium. The Red Hawks trailed 54-51 with just over two minutes remaining in regulation but tallied the final eight points of the contest to escape the upset bid. It was their second victory in as many chances against the Lyons. Last winter, they came out on top 56-44.
Three players reached double digits in the scoring column for Rensselaer, which improved to 6-2 on the year. The Red Hawks were limited to 36.5% (23-63) shooting from floor and made just 57.1% (12-21) of their free throw attempts. In addition to Charest's 19 points, they also received strong efforts from classmates Whitney Coleman and Elizabeth Barker, who posted 18 and 15 points, respectively. The trio accounted for all but seven of their team's points. Barker accumulated a team best seven rebounds, and Charest added a game high five steals.
Mount Holyoke dropped its third straight contest despite a 43-36 edge in the rebounding column. The Lyons went 37.7% (20-53) from the field and 84.6% (11-13) from the charity stripe. They turned the ball over 24 times. Pacing the guests was first year guard Christine Chancy, who registered her third double-double of the season on 14 points and a game best ten boards. She went 6-of-10 from the field and dished out a pair of assists. Senior guard Katie Austen converted all four of her free throw attempts en route to ten points. Meanwhile, first year forwards Tricia Chase and Emma Washauer contributed eight points apiece. Chase also collected seven rebounds.
Neither team was able to take control of the game in a first half that featured two ties and two lead changes. Trailing 12-6 in the early going, Mount Holyoke exploded for nine consecutive points to go in front 15-12 at the 7:38 mark. Chancy keyed the run with a conventional three point play and a layup. A jumper by Washauer extended the Lyons cushion to 21-14 with 3:51 remaining in the first half, but the Red Hawks responded with an 8-1 spurt over the next three minutes to knot things up at 22-22. Washauer converted consecutive buckets in the final 43 seconds of the opening stanza to give Mount Holyoke a 26-22 lead at the break.
A three pointer by junior guard Erin Cain put the Lyons in front 29-24 in the early stages of the second frame, but Rensselaer used an 8-2 run over the next four minutes to gain a 34-31 edge. Mount Holyoke then regained the lead with an 8-2 run of its own. The Lyons enjoyed a 39-36 advantage following a free throw by Chase with just under 12 minutes remaining in regulation.
From there, it was nip and tuck, as neither team led by more than five points. A jumper by Chancy put Mount Holyoke in front 54-51 with 2:14 to go, but the Red Hawks closed out the contest with eight straight points to seal their sixth win of the year.
Coleman started the rally with a jumper on Rensselaer's ensuing possession. After two empty trips each way, Barker was able to grab an offensive rebound and bank home the go-ahead basket for the Red Hawks with 31 seconds remaining. Charest then came up with a steal and converted two free throws to extend the hosts lead to 57-54. She calmly sank two more freebies with 14 seconds left to seal things.
The loss was bittersweet for Mount Holyoke (1-6, 0-0 NEWMAC), which put forth its strongest effort of the season. Including tonight's setback, four of the Lyons six losses have been by eight points or fewer. They will return to action on Saturday at home against non-conference foe Roger Williams University. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 p.m.