Providence, R.I.-Senior guard Cynthia Gaudet (Coventry, RI) scored a game-high 27 points as the Rhode Island College women's basketball team saw their three-game win streak come to an end in an 81-73 loss to Emmanuel on Thursday evening at the Jean Yawkey Center.

With the victory, the Saints improve to 4-1 on the year while the Anchorwomen fall to 3-2 overall. "We have to defend with more consistency than we displayed tonight with conference play beginning on Saturday," Head Coach Marcus Reilly said. "We cannot turn the ball over and allow easy baskets  and still expect to win."

Trailing 36-31 at halftime, Emmanuel would make an early surge in the second half to tie the game at 39-39 following a jumper by senior guard Meghan Kirwan (Melrose, MA). Rhode Island College countered with a 12-4 run capped by a pair of free throws by senior guard Stephanie Coro (North Providence, RI) to make it 51-43 with 14:05 left to play. The squads exchanged a few baskets and with 11:34 to play, RIC still held a 56-48 advantage.

The Saints would use a full court press to help create some easy transition baskets and over the next four minutes roll off 10 fast break points, tying the score at 61-61 with 7:20 remaining following a pair of free throws by freshman forward Lena Negri (Arlington, MA).

Emmanuel would continue to press, forcing several RIC turnovers to help the hosts gain momentum in the contest. With 6:53 remaining, a pair of free throws by senior guard Breanna Ockimey (Philadelphia, PA) gave EC's its first lead of the half in which they would never relinquish. Over the final six minutes of action, the Saints would convert 12 free throws to seal the 81-73 victory.

In the first half, the Saints jumped ahead to an early 12-9 lead at the 14:11 mark following a layup by Kirwan but the Anchorwomen responded by going on a 19-4 run over the next seven minutes to take a 28-16 advantage with 7:18 remaining in the stanza. RIC would take its largest lead of the half with 5:55 to play after a free throw by senior forward Rachel Riley (Coventry, RI) made it a 31-18 contest but Emmanuel rallied, ending the half on a 13-5 spurt to make it a 36-31 game heading into the break.

For the Anchorwomen, Gaudet shot a perfect 14-for-14 from the charity stripe. Coro ended the night with 12 points as did junior guard Ashley O'Dell (Lincoln, RI).

 Ockimey finished the night with a team-high 20 points, going 8-8 from the free throw line. Junior forward Fiona O'Dwyer (Stamford, CT) added 16 points and eight rebounds, while Kirwan finished with 14 points. Rounding out the Saints in double figures was Negri with 12 points and junior forward Laura Benvenuto (Wyckoff, NJ) who had 11.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will open Little East Conference play on Saturday, Dec. 3 at Plymouth State (1 p.m.).