TROY, N.Y. - The Union College women's basketball team scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter to turn a deficit into a lead that the Dutchwomen would not relinquish in defeating Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 56-45. Three players reached double figures in points for Union, which improves to 15-7 overall and 9-5 in the Liberty League. RPI, which falls to 7-16 and 3-11, was led by Sam Krumbhaar's 18 points.

Rensselaer led 23-15 at halftime and 35-31 after three quarters, but the Dutchwomen begain to gain control with an Abby Katz layup with 1:05 left in the third quarter that made it a four-point game. Union then made a field goal, two free throws, two more field goals and a three-pointer in the first 3:13 of the fourth quarter for a 42-35 edge. Four different players scored in the sequence, including junior Natalie Leone, who had a free throw and then a three-point basket, and freshman Sophie Borg, who made a pair of field goals.

RPI came back to score five of the next seven points to pull within five points, 44-39, with 3:18 to play, but Union answered at the free throw line, going 10 for 10.

Erin Lyons led the visitors with a career high 16 points. She also had six rebounds, an assist and three steals. Leone, who was 4 for 4 in free throws down the stretch, finished with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists. Katz had 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds for the Dutchwomen, who shot 52 percent (13 of 25) from the floor after managing just 23.8 percent (5 of 21) in the first half.

Krumbhaar made 8 of 19 shots with a three-pointer and a free throw to reach game-high honors in points. LaKissa Martin and Elizabeth Eckhardt both chipped in with nine points. Martin added six rebounds.

Rensselaer is back on the court on Friday at Bard College, while Union, which sits in third place in the league standings, plays again the same day at William Smith College. Both games are league contests that begin at 6pm.