From start to finish, RPI shot the ball at a steady clip, 43.8 percent in the first half, and 44.4 percent in the second half, for a game total of 44.1 percent. The triple threat of Kaitlyn Saunders (5 rebs, 4 steals), Amy Morin (3 rebs, 8 steals), and Kristi Baranowski (4 rebs) paced the Red Hawks with 15, 12, and 11 points respectively, as RPI used a series of quick passes to beat the Vassar zone-defense and create good shots.
For the game, the Red Hawks took 21 more shots than the Brewers (59-38) on the strength of 18 offensive rebounds, with nine players registering at least one offensive board. Defensively, RPI pressured the ball at a frantic pace, harassing Vassar into 33 turnovers, 50 percent more than their season average of 22.
With 15 turnovers in the first half, Vassar needed torrid shooting to stay in the game. Sophomore center Rachel Cerlen (Short Hills, NJ/Milburn) carried the load with five baskets on five shots as the Brewers shot 55 percent as a team and still found themselves trailing by two. But the iron was unkind in the second half as the Brewers shot a more mortal 22.2 percent for a game total of 39.5 percent, slightly above their season average of 33.6 percent.
“I’m always apprehensive coming to play at Vassar because they are well-coached and always get up for us,” said RPI coach John Greene. “I was a little concerned with our focus in the first half, but we played much better in the second half and we were able to hold on for the win.”
Cerlen led Vassar with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks, and junior guard Meredith McGair (Cranston, RI/St. Mary Academy-Bay View) chipped in with 9 points and 6 rebounds.
Vassar hosts St. Lawrence and Clarkson on Friday and Saturday in their second Liberty League conference weekend. Tip off is at 6:00 pm on Friday and 2:00 pm on Saturday.