Coleman helped RPI jump out to a nine-point halftime lead, 32-23, by scoring 14 first half points, eight of which came from the free throw line. Skidmore rallied in the second half to pull within two points, 53-51 with 6:50 remaining, but the Red Hawks went on a 13-4 run to pull ahead by 11 points, 66-55 with 3:00 left in the second half. The visiting Thoroughbreds would get no closer than seven points.
In addition to Coleman, who also had two rebounds, an assist and two steals in 30 minutes, Kristin Danbury (Grafton, NY/Catholic Central) scored 14 points while Kristi Baranowski (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) and Tory Lyons (Feeding Hills, MA/Agawam) had 13 points apiece. Danbury, a freshman, added six rebounds, Baranowski, a junior, had a game-high eight boards and Lyons, a sophomore, registered five rebounds and three steals.
Three players reached double digits for Skidmore, led by junior Krystal Coke (Brooklyn, NY/Poly Prep Country Day), who had 15 points. She also had a game-high eight rebounds. Senior Katie Bronson (Potsdam, NY/Potsdam) and freshman Kellye Caufield (Monroe, CT/Masuk) both added 11 points.
Rensselaer closes out the regular season on Saturday afternoon when it hosts league foe Union in a Liberty League contest at 2pm. Skidmore plays at Vassar in a league game on Saturday at 2pm.