ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, NY -- A 9-0 run early in the third quarter provided a cushion and the Union College women's basketball team got back on the winning track with a workmanlike 54-43 victory over Bard College in a Liberty League game on Friday night.
 
The Dutchwomen improved to 10-3 overall and 5-1 in the Liberty League; Bard fell to 5-9, 0-5.
 
The Raptors led, 15-10, after one quarter, but Union outscored Bard 19-10 in the second quarter to lead, 29-25, at halftime. It was 33-28 when the Dutchwomen ran off nine straight points. It began with a pair of free throws and a layup from Abby Katz, included a three-pointer from Amy Fisher, and ended with a pair of free throws from Natalie Leone. The run pushed the lead to 14, and it was 11 at the end of the third quarter.
 
Bard cut lead to seven twice in the final quarter but got no closer. Union, which entered the weekend with the top scoring defense in the league, gave up just 18 second-half points.
 
Union used a balanced scoring attack which included at least six points from seven players. Katz led the way with 11 points and seven rebounds; Leone, Fisher and Sophie Borg added eight points apiece.
 
Bard got 21 points and 14 rebounds from Tytravia Riley and 16 points and six rebounds from Bianka Bell.
 
The Dutchwomen are back on the road Saturday afternoon at Vassar. Tip is at 2 p.m.