TROY, NY -- Ashley Clough scored 24 points and pulled down 12 rebounds - both game-highs - to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's basketball team to a 75-54 win over Union College in a Liberty League contest at East Campus Arena. The first place Engineers improve to 3-0 in league play and 7-5 overall, while the Dutchwomen drop to 1-2 and 6-4.

The team's leading scorer, Clough tallied almost seven points more than her season average by making 10 of 18 shots from the field, including three three-pointers, and a free throw. She also had a steal and a block in 35 minutes. Amanda Lynch scored 13 points with five rebounds and Bailei Tetrault added 10 points with three assists and two steals. Freshman Shaina Iton finished with eight points and 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

The Dutchwomen were led by Kate Thompson, who had 15 points and seven rebounds, along with two assists, two blocks and steal. Abby Katz had a team-high eight rebounds, including five offensive, with four points and a steal. Erin Lyons was also active, scoring eight points with six rebounds.

In the first half, the contest was close, but the Engineers began to pull away by scoring 10 of the next 14 points for a 20-10 advantage with 6:57 left in the first half. The lead increased to 28-12 when Clough made a jump shot with 3:54 left and the Engineers led, 35-20 at halftime. RPI shot 40.5% (15 of 37) in the first half, while holding the Dutchwomen to just 28.6% (8 of 28) shooting. 

The second half followed suit as the lowest lead RPI held was 11 points, which happened on two separate occasions, once at the 7:37 mark and again with 5:36 to go. Rensselaer outscored Union 16-6 the rest of the way for the final margin.

Union will be home Saturday at the Viniar Athletic Center for a Liberty League game against Bard at 2 p.m.