Providence, R.I.-Junior forward Devin Hill (Danielson, CT) tallied nine points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals, but a late, 17-3, run broke open a close game as the Rhode Island College women's basketball team fell, 72-56, to Emmanuel at The Murray Center on Thursday night.
Rhode Island College (0-3) opened a three-point lead, 18-15, when freshman Jess Korzec (West Brookfield, MA) took a feed from sophomore guard Alex Moore (West Newbury, MA) and netted a layup with 9:13 remaining in the first half.
The two teams traded baskets down the stretch, with neither team gaining more than a four point advantage. A late layup by Moore off a feed from junior guard Michelle Lagrotteria (Niantic, CT) with one second left in the half sent the two teams into the locker room knotted at 30-30.
Emmanuel (2-2) shot 48.1 percent (13-for-27) from the field in the half, while converting on 60 percent (3-for-5) of their shots from three-point range. Rhode Island College shot 44.4 percent (12-for-27) from the field, while shooting 83.3 percent (5-for-6) from the charity stripe in the half.
The Saints opened the second half on a 6-0 run, capped by a layup from sophomore forward Jen Chalk (Horseheads, NY) to give Emmanuel the 36-30 lead with 15:51 remaining in the second half. Emmanuel pushed the lead to nine, 43-34 with 12:38 remaining in the game.
The Anchorwomen chipped away over the next three minutes and a three-pointer by sophomore guard Meghan Reall (Smithfield, RI), off a feed from Korzec, with 9:44 remaining cut the deficit to two points, 48-46. The two teams traded baskets and a Hill layup with 6:42 left made the score 55-53 in favor of the Saints.
It was Emmanuel sophomore forward Alexis Ezell (Acworth, GA) who took control down the stretch, scoring eight points during a 17-3 Emmanuel run that put the game out of reach of the Anchorwomen. A late free throw by RIC cut the lead to 16, 72-56, which is where it would stay until the final horn sounded.
Ezell scored a game-high 15 points on 75 percent (6-for-8) shooting, while chipping in two rebounds. Freshman guard Karlee Alves (Ellington, CT) narrowly missed out on a triple-double scoring 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while also contributing five steals. The Saints shot 48.3 percent (29-for-60) from the field, 50 percent (5-for-10) from downtown and 75 percent (9-for-12) from the charity stripe for the game.
Lagrotteria finished with a team-high 13 points and also contributed three assists. The Anchorwomen shot 34.5 percent (18-for-52) from the field for the game, while shooting 20 percent (3-for-15) from three-point land and 63 percent (17-for-27) from the free throw line.
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host WPI on Saturday, Nov. 22 (1 p.m.).