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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College women's basketball team outscored Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute by 19 points over the final 20 minutes to erase a halftime deficit and surge to a 58-45 victory on Saturday afternoon at Viniar Athletic Center.
 
Sophomore Laura Vinton led all players with a game-high 16 points, one of four Dutchwomen in double figures. Sophomore Amber Raisner added 13 points and seven rebounds, senior Joana Santos poured in 12 points, while sophomore Anna Metcalf chipped in 10 points as well for Union (8-9, 5-6 Liberty League)
 
Down by six points at halftime, Union came out with a purpose in the third quarter, outscoring RPI (12-7, 8-4 Liberty League) by a 22-8 margin. The Dutchwomen started the period with a 10-2 run to take the lead for the first time, with Santos providing the last five points to put Union ahead. Freshman Sarah Zukowski had a pair of big buckets late in the quarter to keep Union in front, and Metcalf tallied the final five points to give Union a 48-40 lead after 30 minutes.
 
As it usually does, the Union defense once again took over in the fourth frame, keeping RPI without a field goal for the final 6:36 and limiting the Engineers to 2-of-17 shooting overall. The Dutchwomen sunk 7-of-10 free throw attempts down the stretch to help secure the win.
 
For the game, Union shot 40.8 percent (20 of 49) and limited Rensselaer to 30.0 percent (18 of 60) shooting at the other end. The Dutchwomen also forced 20 turnovers and finished the game with seven blocks, with senior Elly Vaughan rejecting four shots and Raisner adding three.
 
The game did not start well for the home team, as Union turned the ball over five times and missed its first seven shots. Despite that, the defense limited RPI to eight points at the other end and allowed the offense to settle in, with Santos eventually breaking the seal on a three with 3:09 left. The Dutchwomen managed to tie the score at 10 following a Vinton jumper with 49 ticks remaining, but a pair of late Engineer baskets made the score 14-10 after 10 minutes.
 
RPI built its lead up to nine midway through the second stanza, but back-to-back Vinton layups and a pair of free throws by junior IreLee Ferguson got the home team back within three. A running layup by Raisner in the waning seconds put Union down 32-26 at the half, setting the stage for the second-half rally.
 
Union will return to action on Tuesday with a big mid-week matchup at William Smith College beginning at 6:00 p.m.