Providence, R.I.-Junior forward Cara Paladino (Arlington, MA) finished with a game-high 13 points to go along with nine rebounds and two steals, while junior guard Stephanie Prusko (Lincoln, RI) added 12 points, nine rebounds and three steals, to lead Rhode Island College to a 59-46 victory over Connecticut College on Thursday night in non-conference action played at The Murray Center.

Rhode Island College improved to 12-6 with the win. It was the sixth victory for RIC in its last nine games. Connecticut College falls to 7-11 with the loss.

After back and forth action through the first 14 minutes of the contest, the Camels knotted the score at 17 on a three-pointer from freshman guard Willa McKinley (Westport, NY) at the 6:00 mark. However, the Anchorwomen responded with an 8-3 run to go ahead, 27-20, with 2:52 remaining in the half, highlighted by a trio of layups from Paladino.

Rhode Island College went into the half with a 29-22 lead and quickly extended its lead to nine following the intermission. Although Connecticut College rallied to cut the deficit to just one with 14:50 on the clock following a basket from sophomore guard Carlee Smith (Willimantic, CT), the Anchorwomen refused to relinquish the lead and pulled away from the Camels down the stretch en route to the double-digit victory.

Smith led Connecticut College with nine points and three assists, while junior forward Aly Boyle (Westford, MA) added four points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. Freshman guard Kayleen Murray (Litchfield, CT) chipped in with six points, six rebounds and three blocks, while junior forward Caitlin Cimino (Falmouth, ME) recorded two points, four rebounds and three blocks for the Camels, who finished with nine blocks as a team.

Meanwhile, Connecticut College's leading scorer, junior forward Tara Gableman (Irvington, NY), was held to just six points and five boards in 22 minutes.

On the other end, freshman forward Vandell Andrade (Providence, RI) posted eight points and seven rebounds for RIC, while junior forward Courtney Burns (Rockland, MA) and freshman point guard Danielle LeBlanc (Warwick, RI) each chipped in with eight points and two steals. 

The Anchorwomen shot 37 percent (23-for-62) from the floor, 17 percent (1-for-6) from downtown and 86 percent (12-for-14) from the free throw line. The Camels shot 34 percent (17-for-50), 50 percent (4-for-8) from beyond the arc and 44 percent (8-for-18) from the free throw line.

RIC outrebounded the Camels, 42-35, and corralled 16 offensive rebounds as a team. The Anchorwomen also held an advantage in the turnover battle, coughing the ball up 12 times, compared to 16 turnovers for Connecticut College.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference play at Eastern Connecticut on Saturday, Jan. 26 (1 p.m.).