POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Vassar College women's basketball team scored 52 second half points to overcome a double-digit halftime deficit and defeat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 77-66 in a Liberty League contest at AFC Gymnasium. The two teams now have identical records of 11-5 overall and 7-2 in the conference. They are tied for second place.

RPI scored the first six points of the game and eight of the first 10 on its way to a 14-10 lead after the opening quarter. The visitors increased their margin to as many as 13 points before settling at 10 points, 35-24, going into halftime.  

Senior Celia Tomlinson had 19 first half points, along with seven rebounds for the Engineers, who made 41.7 percent of their shots, while holding the Brewers to 32.3 percent. Sophie Nick's seven points was the high for Vassar at the break.

The Brewers cut their deficit to one point (38-37) on a Nick three-pointer around the seven minute mark and then took a 39-38 lead on a layup by Isa Peczuh a minute later. RPI's Ines Ortea gave the Engineers a 41-39 lead with an and-1, but Peczuh answered with a basket from behind the arc for a 42-41 edge. The teams continued to trade baskets for the next few minutes before Vassar closed the quarter with four straight points and a 52-48 lead heading to the fourth. 

The Brewers maintained their lead throughout the final frame, but Rensselaer was within two possessions until just under two minutes remained and Vassar connected on its free throws. Sarah Gillooly made it a six-point game (69-63) with 1:47 to play and Jackie Cenan put the Brewers up by eight (71-63) with a pair from the free throw line with 1:29 to play. Cenan and Gilooly later made another two shots each for Vassar, which was 24 for 28 (85.7%) from the stripe on the night. RPI made 15 of 28 (53.6%) free throws.

Peczuh led the Brewers with 16 points, while Nick had a double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds. Cenan had 12 and seven with four assists for Vassar.

Tomlinson, Sam Krumbhaar and Ortea, all seniors, combined for 60 of Rensselaer's 66 points. Tomlinson scored 24 points with 15 rebounds, Krumbhaar had 21 points and three steals and Ortea scored 15 points with eight rebounds. 

Vassar is back in action hosting Bard College on Saturday at 2pm at the AFC Gymnasium. Rensselaer travels to first place Ithaca College on Saturday for a 2pm tipoff. Both games are league contests.