News Release

Troy, N.Y. — Junior forward Stephanie Czajkowski (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Ludden) scored 21 points and William Smith College held Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to 29.0% shooting from the floor on their way to a 59-57 win in a Liberty League women’s basketball game at Robison Gym.

With the win the Herons improve to 10-7 overall and 4-3 in the Liberty League. Rensselaer, which had a chance to tie the game on a put-back at the buzzer, falls to 12-6 and 5-2.

The homestanding Red Hawks held a 33-29 lead at the end of the first half, which featured five ties. RPI increased its lead to as many as six points in the second half before William Smith went in front, 43-42, with 12:32 remaining. The Herons went on to lead by as many as ten points before Rensselaer fought back to within one point (58-57) with 2:56 remaining. Czajkowski closed out the game’s scoring on a free throw with 16 seconds remaining.

In addition to her 21 points (10-of-15 shooting), Czajkowski had seven rebounds, all defensive, and a steal in 33 minutes. Freshman Erin Cunningham (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Knolls) and sophomore Latasha Coney (Lyons, NY/Lyons) both added 11 points.

Rensselaer sophomore guard Whitney Coleman (Etiwanda, CA/Etiwanda) led all scorers with 27 points, including 13-of-14 from the free throw line. She also had eight rebounds (3 offensive), two assists and a steal in 38 minutes. Senior Kristi Baranowski (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) added six points and a game-high 13 rebounds (2 off.) for the Red Hawks, who was 18-for-62 shooting from the floor.

Rensselaer is back in action on Friday night when it hosts St. Lawrence University in a Liberty League matchup at Robison Gym (6pm). William Smith hosts Union College in a Liberty League game next Friday night at 6pm.