Hamilton (9-5 league, 15-9 overall) grabbed the fourth and final league playoff spot with its ninth victory in the Continentals' last 12 games. Hamilton has its most wins since the 1992-93 team finished with 21. Allie Massaro '07 scored 14 of her 17 points in the second half. Jessica Barrows '08 had nine points and made five steals. Melissa Steppe '08 came off the bench to add nine points and hand out six assists. Pumla Sathula '08 grabbed nine rebounds.
Kaitlyn Saunders '05 poured in a game-high 30 points to go with nine boards and four steals for the Red Hawks (9-5, 12-12), who were eliminated from the playoff race. Missy Jackman '08 scored 15 points on five three-pointers and finished with 18. Amy Morin '05 dished out six assists.
The Continentals led 30-25 at the break, only to have Rensselaer take a 33-32 lead on a layup by Brittney O'Neal '08 with 15:06 left. A 14-3 Hamilton run put the Continentals up 46-36 with 10:03 remaining. The lead grew as high as 14 points and was never less than four the rest of the game.
Hamilton will play a league semifinal game at regular season champion William Smith College on Friday, Feb. 25. The teams split their two games this season, with the Continentals winning 60-53 at Geneva, N.Y., on Jan. 25.