Potsdam, NY – A tall and long Rensselaer team held a significant advantage on the boards Saturday afternoon as the Engineers defeated the Clarkson University Women’s Basketball team 71-59 in Liberty League action at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights fell to 3-9 overall and 0-2 in the Liberty League with the loss, while the Engineers improved to 7-6 overall and 2-0 in conference games. Clarkson continues conference action on Tuesday when it hosts St. Lawrence.

Both teams came out with strong shooting performances, making plenty of shots from the perimeter, but the pace slowed midway through the half. Rensselaer was able to keep up its scoring pace despite the turn in shooting percentage as the Engineers dominated the glass, especially on the offensive end with 14 rebounds off their own misses.

Junior Lauren Pluchino (Liverpool, NY) led Clarkson with nine points on flawless shooting (3-for-3 from the floor, 2-for-2 from the free throw line) while Katie Goldberg (Stowe, VT) added eight points. Rensselaer senior Whitney Coleman nearly compiled a double-double in the opening 20 minutes with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Allison Connor contributed 10 points, making a trio of 3-pointers.

The second half started with the Engineers making a mini-run to push their lead to as many as 15 points, but the Knights began to slash to the basket, getting lay ups and free throw chances. That strategy worked briefly, as Clarkson climbed back to within single digits, but RPI stayed the course by continuing their inside-outside style, holding on for the 12-point win.

Carey Turner (Clifton Park, NY) finished with a solid all-around game with 14 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block, while Pluchino ended the game with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Michelle Reddinger (Baldwinsville, NY) also contributed 11 points.

Coleman finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds, adding in four assists. Connor finished with 13 points and the Engineers had 49 rebounds overall.