Box Score GENEVA, N.Y.–The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute basketball team opened the game with an 18-3 run and never looked back, as they defeated William Smith College 68-44. The Redhawks improves to 16-4, 8-2 UCAA, while the Herons drop to 12-7 overall and 6-4 in the league.

In the first half Rensselaer jumped out to a 4-0 lead before a three pointer by senior guard Erin Case (Greene/Greene, N.Y.) made it a one point game at the 17:37 mark. William Smith didn't score again until junior center Leah Cornwell (Wheatland-Chili/Caledonia, N.Y.) hit a jumper seven minutes later. The Redhawks closed the half on a 19-8 run and headed to the locker room with a 37-13 lead.

The Herons came out composed and played a strong second half, forcing 11 turnovers, and matched Rensselaer's 31 points. Two free throws by sophomore forward Laura Hadwin (Vestal/Vestal, N.Y.) cut the Redhawks lead to 19 points at the 12:03 mark, but William Smith never got any closer as they dropped the 68-44 decision.

Hadwin led the Herons with 13 points and seven rebounds and Cornwell finished with eight points and four boards. Rensselaer's Melissa Coppola had a game-high 16 points and 10 rebounds. Kristen Campbell also scored 16 points for the Redhawks.

William Smith returns to action tomorrow afternoon, at 2 p.m., when they host the Vassar College Brewers.

–HWS SPORTS–