William Smith (8-3, 2-0) held a 52-47 advantage in rebounds, including 18 on the offensive glass. The Red Hawks (7-4, 1-1) actually posted 27 offensive rebounds of their own, but the Herons converted their opportunities into 25 second-chance points, while Rensselaer managed just 14.
The hosts led by just two at halftime, but seized control after the break. Leading by six with nine minutes remaining, William Smith went on a 13-2 run, capped by a traditional three-point play by Czajkowski, to balloon its advantage to 17 in just three minutes.
Senior forward Tanya Richvalsky (Mohawk/Mohawk, N.Y.) narrowly missed a second double-double for the Herons, finishing with 13 points and nine rebounds. Senior guard Pria Young (Council Rock/Richboro, Pa.) added 13 points in the win.
Junior forward Kristin Baranowski (Liverpool/Liverpool, N.Y.) was the only Red Hawk to reach double digits, registering 10 points and nine rebounds.
William Smith returns to action on Jan. 17, when the Herons travel to Elmira for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
WILLIAM SMITH 65, RENSSELAER 46 RENSSELAER (7-4, 1-1 Liberty) Kristi Baranowski 4-11 2-3 10; Destany Eagles 4-13 0-0 8; Tory Lyons 2-8 3-8 7; Missy Jackman 2-6 2-3 7; Kristin Danbury 3-6 0-2 6; Brittney O'Neal 2-4 0-0 4; Caitlyn Charest 1-9 0-0 2; Whitney Coleman 1-16 0-0 2; Elizabeth Barker 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 19-75 7-16 46. WILLIAM SMITH (8-3, 2-0 Liberty) Stephanie Czajkowski 9-15 1-1 19; Tanya Richvalsky 6-12 1-3 13; Pria Young 5-13 1-4 13; Paula Foote 2-7 3-5 7; Seraphine Hamilton 2-7 0-0 5; Amanda Nann 2-4 0-2 4; Paige Myers 0-2 2-2 2. Totals 26-60 10-20 65. Halftime-William Smith 25-23. 3-point goals-Rensselaer 1-18 (Jackman 1-3; Eagles 0-4; Danbury 0-1; Charest 0-7; Coleman 0-3), William Smith 3-11 (Young 2-5; Hamilton 1-3; Foote 0-1; Myers 0-2). Fouled out--Rensselaer-Eagles, William Smith-None. Rebounds-Rensselaer 47 (Baranowski 9), William Smith 52 (Czajkowski 12). Assists-Rensselaer 8 (Charest 3; O'Neal 3), William Smith 17 (Foote 6). Total fouls-Rensselaer 21, William Smith 15. A-210