With the win, RPI improves to 12-5 overall and 5-1 in the Liberty League. Hamilton falls to 9-5 and 3-3.
The visiting Continentals held a 44-40 advantage at halftime, led by junior guard/forward Pumla Sathula (Soweto, South Africa/St. Anne’s-Belfield School), who had ten points and nine rebounds (4 offensive) in the first half.
Hamilton twice built its lead to seven points early in the second half before Rensselaer went on an 11-0 run to take a 53-49 lead. Eagles had seven points in that stretch. The Continentals came back to tie the score at 57-57 at the 11:59 mark but an 8-0 run by the Red Hawks put the home team in front to stay.
In addition to her 23 points, Eagles also had five rebounds (3 offensive), three assists, and a game-high four steals. Sophomore guard Whitney Coleman (Etiwanda, CA/Etiwanda) added 15 points and 13 rebounds (6 off.), including ten points and nine rebounds in the first half. She also had two assists and three steals. Sophomore Elizabeth Barker (Springfield, MA/Cathedral) added ten points and eight rebounds (2 off.) for RPI.
Sathula finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds (3 off.), two assists and a steal in 38 minutes to lead Hamilton. Sydney Fasulo (Lancaster, PA/Lancaster Country Day School), a sophomore center, chipped in with 14 points, seven rebounds (2 off.), an assist, and a steal.
Rensselaer returns to the court on Saturday against Liberty League foe William Smith (2pm). Live statistics of the game will be available at http://rpiathletics.com/live/wbball/ . The Continentals are also back in action on Saturday for a league game. They play at Vassar at 2pm.