TROY, N.Y. - The Bard College women's basketball team lost to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 49-40, in a Liberty League game on Tuesday night.

Both teams struggled from the field in the first half, and RPI had a 25-23 lead at the break. The Raptors had a 26-18 rebounding advantage after two quarters, but turnovers eliminated scoring opportunities, and the problems continued in the third quarter.

Bard went seven-plus minutes without a point in the third quarter, and the Raptors were fortunate RPI wasn't doing much either. It was a 9-4 quarter for RPI and it was 34-27 heading into the fourth quarter.

Bard cut the lead to five early on, but a three-pointer by Ellen Boucher (Williston, VT) pushed the deficit to 10 with seven minutes left. The Raptors cut it to four with 1:23 to go on a three-pointer by Bianka Bell, but Bard didn't score again.

Nine players scored for RPI, led by Boucher, who had 10 points. Shaina Iton (Peekskill, NY) added eight points and 11 rebounds. The Engineers are 6-15 overall, 2-10 in the Liberty League.

Bard (5-16, 0-14) got 17 points from Bell. Tytravia Riley added nine points and 19 rebounds, and Alexis Akingbade chipped in with eight points and 15 rebounds. Bard's final rebounding edge was 49-40, but the Raptors turned it over 23 times.

There are two games left in the careers of Bell and Riley. Bard will play at Vassar on Feb. 17, then host RPI on Senior Night, Feb. 19. Follow both games live right here.