SCHENECTADY, NY – Freshman Amy Loya hit a three pointer with 18 seconds left in overtime to give host Union College a one point lead in an eventual 61-58 Liberty League women's basketball victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Friday night at the Viniar Athletic Center.

 

The Dutchwomen remain atop the Liberty League with a 5-1 record and are 10-4 overall, while the Engineers fell to 3-3 in the league and 7-10 overall.

 

Union senior Lauren McCormick had a career high with 18 rebounds along with 15 points, while Loya had 10 points and senior guard Leah Pepe scored eight points with seven rebounds. Union shot 35% for the contest and won despite 26 turnovers. Union shot 41% for the game and had a commanding 56-36 rebounding edge with McCormick's efforts.

 

RPI was led by Sarah Wetmore's game high 16 points and 13 points from Linda Larsen. Allison Connor added 11 and Nicole Monroe led the Engineers with nine rebounds. The Engineers shot 35% for the contest.

 
Union had a 30-27 lead at halftime, but RPI was up by four at 34-30 2:10 into the second half. It was the biggest lead for either team in the see-saw first half that fetured six ties.

The teams were tied at 54-54 after regulation. Wetmore made a layup with 15 seconds left in the regulation to send the game into the extra session. Larsen made two free throws 1:54 into the overtime for a 56-54 lead, but a jumper by McCormick with 2:01 left knotted it up. After a Union foul with 31 seconds left, Larsen again nailed the two from the charity stripe. But Loya hit the three just before the end of the shot clock with the 18 seconds remaining. After an RPI foul, Pepe missed a free throw but then got the layup off a rebound with four seconds left to seal the victory.

The Dutchwomen host Vassar tomorrow at 2 p.m. RPI plays at Skidmore Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Union home game is "NCAA Take a Kid to the Game Day" with prizes and player autographs for all kids for this free admission contest.