TROY, NYRensselaer's Missy Jackson scored 10 of the game's final 16 points in the last 1:29 of the contest as Rensselaer threw the Liberty League women's basketball race into a free-for-all with its 73-68 victory over Union.  The loss, coupled with St. Lawrence's 42-35 win over William Smith left the Dutchwomen and the Saints tied for the league lead with identical records of 9-3.  The Red Hawks moved into a second-place tie with the Herons at 8-3 while Hamilton, which defeated Clarkson, 69-43, is now 7-4.

Tuesday night Rensselaer will host 2-9 Vassar while William Smith travels to Hamilton.  Meanwhile, Union will host St. Lawrence on Friday before closing out the regular season against Clarkson on Saturday.  Next weekend's other key match-ups find Rensselaer at William Smith on Friday and at Hamilton on Saturday.

The regular-season champion will host the four-team Liberty League championship tournament the weekend of February 25 and 26 with the winner earning the right to represent the circuit in the NCAA Division III tournament.

Senior forward Katlyn Cunningham gave Union its only lead of the second half, 64-62, when she hit a layup and follow-up free throw with 1:51 left to play.  However, Jackson took over and put the Red Hawks in front for good as she knocked down a three-pointer for a 65-64 advantage with 1:29 showing.  A missed three-point field goal and foul by the Dutchwomen saw Kristi Baranowski hit one of two free throws  before Jackman's three-pointer with 28 seconds left gave the Red Hawks a 69-64 advantage.  Sophomore guard Sarah Krammen's layup with 18 ticks remaining brought the Dutchwomen back to within three, 69-66, before Jackman hit both of her free throw attempts for a 71-66 lead at the 16-second mark.  Cunningham buried a jumper with seven seconds showing, but Jackman iced the win by again knocking down a pair of charity shots with two seconds remaining.                                    

The see-saw battle saw the first half produce six ties including the 27-27 deadlock at the buzzer.  Rensselaer enjoyed three nine-point advantages during the second 20 minutes as Amy Morin's three-pointer gave the Red Hawks a 45-36 lead at 14:46, Kaitlyn Saunders' two free throws made it 45-36 with 14:10 left to play and Morin's layup at 5:51 gave RPI a 61-52 lead.

Jackman finished with 16 points while Saunders led all scorers with 20.  Morin and Baranowski each contributed 13 markers for the 11-10 Red Hawks.  Union also placed four players in double digits as sophomore forward Krystal Hammond netted 15 points, Cunningham finished with 14, Courtney Shepard had 13 and Erika Eisenhut had 10.

Cunningham led all players with her 10 rebounds while senior guard Melissa Marra turned in a fine all-around performance for the 16-6 Dutchwomen with nine points, nine rebounds and five assists.