Providence, R.I.-Led by a career-high 22 points from freshman guard Alex Moore (West Newbury, MA), and sophomore forward Vandell Andrade's (Providence, RI) seventh double-double of the season, the Rhode Island College women's basketball team upset nationally ranked Bowdoin College, 72-61, at The Murray Center on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action.
 
Sophomore forward Shannon Brady (Scituate, MA) led previously unbeaten Bowdoin (11-1) with a game-high 25 points to go along with 12 rebounds and two blocks, while freshman guard Marle Curle (Plattsburgh, NY) totaled 17 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort. 
 
Although the Polar Bears opened the ballgame on a 9-2 run through the first four minutes of action, the Anchorwomen responded with a 31-18 run of their own, keyed by 17 first-half points from senior forward Cara Paladino (Arlington, MA), to take a 33-26 lead into intermission. Rhode Island College (6-4) forced No. 25 Bowdoin into 10 first-half turnovers, while only coughing up the ball twice on the other end of the floor.
 
RIC held at least a two-possession lead over the Polar Bears throughout much of the second half, eventually jumping ahead by as many as 12, before Bowdoin finally cut the deficit to just five, 65-60, in the final minute of play. Although they trailed by 11 with 1:14 on the clock, the Polar Bears rallied for six straight points over the next 37 seconds, capped off by a three-pointer from Curle at the 0:47 mark.
 
However, despite losing both Paladino and Andrade to foul trouble late in the game, the Anchorwomen connected on six of their final nine free throws to help fend off Bowdoin in the double-digit victory. In total, RIC forced 20 turnovers on the afternoon, while finishing with just nine miscues of its own. The hosts also corralled 18 offensive rebounds as a team and recorded 12 steals.
 
Paladino finished with 17 points on the day to go along with eight rebounds and two assists, while Andrade compiled 15 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore guard Michelle Lagrotteria (Niantic, CT) chipped in with five points, while freshman forward Christian McDuffy (Brockton, MA) added two points, five rebounds and two steals off the bench.
 
On the other end, junior forward Megan Phelps (Southwest Harbor, ME) posted 11 points, seven rebounds and two assists for Bowdoin, while sophomore guard Selena Lorrey (Kittery Point, ME) contributed six points and five boards.
 
RIC shot 35 percent (25-for-71) from the floor, 29 percent (4-for-14) from beyond the three-point arc and 60 percent (18-for-30) from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Bowdoin shot 38 percent (21-for-56) from the field, 33 percent (3-for-9) from downtown and 73 percent (16-for-22) from the charity stripe.
 
The Polar Bears outrebounded the Anchorwomen, 47-43, in the loss.
 
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Amherst on Tuesday, Jan. 7 (7 p.m.).