TROY, N.Y. (Dec. 30, 2015) – The final game of 2015 for the Drew University women's basketball team ended in a 60-41 loss at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Junior Ryan Jackson paced the Rangers' (5-6) attack with 10 points and eight rebounds, followed by a nine-point, eight-rebound effort by senior forward Courtney Stephens. The countdown for Stephens joining the Rangers' 1,000-Point Club stands at 20 points with two road games on the docket at Juniata College and The University of Scranton. Sophomore center Ally Raulf added seven points, four boards and two steals in the setback.
 
Following a brief 6-1 lead by the Rangers to open the game, the Engineers (4-5) rattled off a 9-0 run to take its first lead of the game, one that they would not relinquish. Jackson was involved early on both ends of the court, converting her patented high-percentage jumpers and grabbing rebounds on each end of the floor. The Engineers ended the period with two free throws, a layup off a Drew turnover, and one of three first-quarter blocks to take a 16-10 lead after the first 10 minutes,
 
Raulf sparked the scoring in the second, following by Stephens' first bucket of the game to cut the deficit to 16-14 just 30 seconds into the period. The 6-0 run to tie the contest at 16-16 was completed by two Miller free throws. The next five minutes would seemingly decide Drew's fate on Wednesday as they went ice cold from the floor. Meanwhile RPI was hitting shots and using a 12-0 run to take a 28-16 lead. Stephens would help salvage the run down the stretch, but the Engineers would take the 33-20 lead into the locker room.
 
RPI started the second half just as Drew started the first; with a 6-1 run, this one extending the home team's lead. Jackson would make back-to-back baskets early in the third period, but another run of 7-0 by RPI coupled with more frigid shooting by the Rangers spelt a 46-28 deficit at the end of three periods.
 
Jackson was again active in multiple phases of the game to commence the fourth and final period, dishing a pass to Stephens for the lay-in and converting a bucket herself. Freshman Hailey Stine completed the 6-1 run with a layup on the fast break, but the Rangers still trailed 47-34 with 8:17 showing on the clock. RPI prevented any hopes of a comeback by constructing an 8-0 over a 5:30 span, in which Drew went scoreless. That stretch sealed the deal for the Engineers on their home court, where they improved to 2-0 this season in their first game in Troy since the season opener on November 14.
 
Neither team boasted flashy shooting percentages with RPI's at 39% and Drew's at 26%, hampered by the 0-of-13 mark from beyond the arc on Wednesday. The Engineers' inside presence loomed large with a 49-39 rebounding advantage and picking up 10 blocks against the Rangers.
 
The Rangers continue a four-game road stint on Saturday, Jan. 2 with Landmark Conference action resuming at Juniata College at 4:00 p.m. Catch the game live on the Landmark Digital Network.