TROY, NY -- RPI opened Liberty League play at home with a 67-55 victory over Union at Robison Gym Friday night. Kristi Baranowski scored 12 points with 12 rebounds to pace the Red Hawks (7-5, 1-0), while Krystal Hammond (Clifton Park, Shenendehowa) led Union with team highs of 14 points and eight rebounds. The Dutchwomen fell to 4-7 overall and 1-1 in the league.

Michelle Rogers (Clarence, NY/Clarence) scored 11 points off the bench and added six boards for the Dutchwomen, while Rachel Ormsby (Charlton, NY/Burnt Hills) scored 10 points. Maria Tobin (Schenectady, NY/Bishop Maginn) scored nine points on the night for the guests.

Union had won seven of the previous 10 meetings, and last lost to RPI on February 12, 2005. Whitney Coleman had a game high 15 points for Rensselaer, and Missy Jackman led all players with four assists. The Red Hawks shot 47% for the game and had a 36-30 rebounding advantage. Union shot 42% and was 10 for 20 from the free throw line.

Union jumped out to a 13-5 lead on a Tobin three-pointer with 13:53 left in the first half. But the Red Hawks went on an 11-3 run to tie it at 16-16 on a Sara Decker three. RPI was up by seven (27-20) with 4:30 left but the Dutchwomen closed out the half with a 12-5 run for a 32-32 score at halftime.

RPI opened the half with a 14-5 run for a 46-37 lead 4:06 into the second half. The largest lead was 14 (67-53 with 31 seconds remaining in the half).

Union will continue Liberty League play at Vassar Saturday at 2 p.m., and will return home Tuesday night for a 7 p.m. non-league contest against Hartwick.

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