The Red Hawks (12-10, 9-3), placed three players in double figures -- Amy Morin with 14 points, Rebecca Primm with 12 points and Kristi Baranowski with 10 points -- in halting Vassar's short-lived win streak at one. The Brewers (6-10, 2-10), received a 17-point, 8-rebound performance by junior guard Natalie Serkowski (Clinton Corners, NY), which tied her season high in both categories.
Vassar only had one lead in the game, 5-3 at the 18:04 mark following a Serkowski 3-pointer, her first of three on the evening. From that point, RPI methodically built its lead, benefitting from 11 first half Vassar turnovers.
The Red Hawks led 29-21 at intermission, but the Brewers started the second half with a basket by junior forward Meredith McGair (Cranston, RI) and a 3-pointer by junior guard Erin Harper (Kings Park, NY). It made the score 29-26 with 17:45 to play, but it was the closest Vassar would come in the second half.
In a three minute stretch of the second half, Morin scored six key points to keep Vassar at bay. Then RPI turned up the defensive pressure and the visiting Brewers found themselves in a scoring drought. Vassar was within eight points (56-48) with 4:05 to play, but failed to score another point. RPI's pressure forced Vassar into four turnovers in the next five possessions while gradually increasing the lead by converting those turnovers into points.
Vassar received a 12 point, 8 rebound outing from junior center Rachel Cerlen (Short Hills, NJ) and four blocks from McGair, who scored six points on the night.
After a slow start shooting the basketball (32.3 percent in the first half), Vassar connected on 11 of 23 field goals (47.8 percent) in the second half, and outrebounded RPI, 39-37. The difference were turnovers, Vassar's 25 and RPI's 14.
The Brewers play the remaining two games of the 2004-2005 season on the road, facing Hamilton on Friday night at 6:00 pm and William Smith on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm.
VASSAR vs RPI 2/15/05 6pm at Troy, NY At Troy, NY RPI 69, VASSAR 48 VASSAR (6-16, 2-10) Natalie Serkowski 7-14 0-0 17; Rachel Cerlen 6-9 0-1 12; Erin Harper 3-8 0-0 7; Meredith McGair 3-12 0-0 6; Sarah Porter 2-5 0-2 4; Melissa Jones 0-3 2-4 2; Acacia O'Connor 0-1 0-0 0; Elise Okosami 0-1 0-0 0; Andrea Jergesen 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 21-54 2-7 48. RPI (12-10, 9-3) Amy Morin 6-11 0-0 14; Rebecca Primm 5-5 2-3 12; Kristi Baranowski 5-13 0-0 10; Destany Eagles 4-8 0-0 8; Kaitlyn Saunders 1-6 6-8 8; Tory Lyons 3-7 1-2 7; Brittney O'Neal 2-7 1-2 5; Missy Jackman 1-3 0-2 3; Nicole Van Slyke 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 28-63 10-17 69. VASSAR........................ 21 27 - 48 RPI........................... 29 40 - 69 3-point goals-VASSAR 4-11 (Natalie Serkowski 3-6; Erin Harper 1-3; Meredith McGair 0-1; Melissa Jones 0-1), RPI 3-7 (Amy Morin 2-3; Missy Jackman 1-3; Destany Eagles 0-1). Fouled out--VASSAR-None, RPI-None. Rebounds-VASSAR 39 (Rachel Cerlen 8; Natalie Serkowski 8), RPI 37 (Kristi Baranowski 10). Assists-VASSAR 7 (Andrea Jergesen 2), RPI 10 (Destany Eagles 4). Total fouls-VASSAR 11, RPI 9. A-65