KEENE, N.H. 1/4/2007 - Destiny Eagles (Conway, S.C.) had 14 points and Kristi Baranowski (Liverpool, N.Y.) finished with 11 rebounds to lead Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to a 56-43 non-conference women's basketball over Spaulding Gym on Thursday.

Sarah Begnoche (Millville. Mass.) led Keene State (7-3) with a game high 16 points and 13 rebounds. 

The Red Hawks (6-4) flew out to a 16-6 lead six minutes into the game.  KSC scored seven straight points to cut the lead to three points on a three-pointer by Michele Boudreau (Readsboro, Vt.).   Rensselaer opened up a 15 point halftime advantage (34-19) on a breakaway lay-up by Eagles in the closing seconds of the half. 

Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) had eight points and eight rebounds for the Owls, who struggled from the field (7-29) and behind the arc (1-10) and committed 16 first half turnovers.  Eagles had 12 points for RPI, which hit 48% from the field.  

Keene State opened the second half with a 14-2 run to cut the Red Hawks lead to three points (36-33) on a fast break lay-up by Kristin Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) at the 12:10 mark.   

KSC, which had trouble against the RPI press and advantage on the boards got no closer.  A basket by Baranowki put Rensselaer up by 10 (48-38) with 5:45 to play.

Bri Barnes (Merrimack. N.H.) added 11 points for the Owls, who return to LEC on Saturday when they travel to UMass-Boston (1 p.m.).