Riley Scores 21 & Grabs 12 Boards as RIC Advances to Brandeis Title Game

More news about: Rhode Island College

Waltham, MA-Junior forward Rachel Riley (Coventry, RI) posted her second straight double-double effort with a game-high 21 points and 12 rebounds as the Rhode Island College women's basketball team defeated Springfield, 80-64, in first round action of the Brandeis Invitational.

 

The Anchorwomen (2-0) advance to face the hosts tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m., while the Pride (0-2) will square off against Connecticut College in the consolation game at 1 p.m.

 

Junior guard Stephanie Coro (North Providence, RI) equaled Riley's offensive effort with her second consecutive game scoring over 20 points. Coro added a game-high four steals. Sophomore forward Courtney Burns (Rockland, MA) had 14 points, five boards and three steals, while

 

The Anchorwomen shot 45 percent (27-for-60) from the field, but were outrebounded by the Pride, 34-31. Springfield shot well at 49 percent (26-for-53), but free throws proved to be the difference. RIC (19-for-25) took 16 more shots than the Pride (4-for-9) from the charity stripe. The Anchorwomen forced Springfield into 20 turnovers while committing only nine of their own, to finish with a 19-2 edge in points off turnovers.

 

After a sluggish start to the game, Springfield junior guard Kelly Murphy (Mechanicville, NY) scored on a put-back 3:31 in to the contest. Coro answered on the other end with a traditional three-point play two possessions later and the Anchorwomen never trailed again, holding the Pride at bay.

 

Springfield was paced by 19 points off the bench by sophomore guard Meghan Biondolillo (Levittown, NY), who also led the Pride with four assists. Murphy finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, while senior guard Abby Connors (Douglas, MA) had 13 points. Senior forward Amelia Sapowsky (Ware, MA) just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

 

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