SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Sophomore Kate McCarney scored 23 points and the Skidmore College women's basketball team scored its final 12 points from the free throw line to defeat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) 62-57 in a Liberty League game on Friday night. The Thoroughbreds improve to 4-14 overall and 2-9 in the conference, while RPI falls to 11-6 and 7-3.

After Skidmore held a 27-23 lead at halftime and a one point margin after three quarters (36-35), the Engineers took the lead 14 seconds into the fourth on a Celia Tomlinson layup. The Thoroughbreds scored the next four points and eventually established a 50-43 edge with just under four minutes to play. RPI got to within five (50-45) on an Ines Ortea basket with 2:30 to go, but Skidmore took advantage of its trips to the free throw line, scoring its final 12 points from the stripe to secure a win over Rensselaer, which entered the game in first place in the conference. 

McCarney had five free throws, Jessica Centore made four, Clare Driscoll had a pair and Lilly Berg made one down the stretch. The Thoroughbreds were 18 of 24 overall from the foul line, while the Engineers were only 9 of 17. RPI made just over 31 percent of its shots despite connecting on 42.1 percent in the fourth quarter. The Engineers were held 13 points under their season scoring average of 70.4.

Playing all 40 minutes, McCarney had seven field goals and seven free throws to reach her game-high 23 points. She added three rebounds, a game-high five assists and a steal. Centore chipped in with 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals for Skidmore, which made 36.4 percent of its shots.

Tomlinson, a senior forward, led RPI with 16 points and 11 rebounds, along with two blocks and two steals. Three others also reached double digits in scoring, including a dozen points from sophomore Brielle Sharry and 10 points from both Sam Krumbhaar and Courtney Lewis. Sharry added eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Krumbhaar and Lewis had five and seven rebounds, respectively. Lewis led the team with four steals.

Rensselaer is back on the road on Saturday afternoon when it plays at Union College at 2pm. The Thoroughbreds host Ithaca College on Saturday at 2pm. Both games are Liberty League contests.