Providence, R.I.-Sophomore guard Alex Moore (West Newbury, MA) scored a career-high 24 points, including a key three-pointer in overtime, as the Rhode Island College women's basketball team earned their first victory of the season by topping intra-state rival Roger Williams University, 71-61, on Sunday afternoon at The Murray Center.
The Hawks (2-4) opened a four point lead, 9-5, on a jumper from freshman forward Mariah Nicholas (Acushnet, MA) off a feed from junior guard Angelica Ariola (Prospect, CT) with 15:32 remaining in the half. The Anchorwomen (1-5) used a 5-0 run the next 1:20, capped by a three-ball from sophomore forward Jill Paladino (Arlington, MA) off a feed from Moore to take the 10-9 lead. A three-pointer by Moore with 6:58 remaining in the stanza gave the Anchorwomen an eight point lead, 24-16. The Hawks used a 10-1 run to close out the half and took a one point advantage, 26-25, into the locker room.
The Hawks shot 25.7 percent (9-for-35) from the field in the half, while converting on 100 percent (7-for-7) from the free throw line. Rhode Island College shot 34.5 percent (10-for-29) from the field and 42.9 percent (3-for-7) from downtown in the half.
The Anchorwomen slowly opened up an eight point lead, 41-36, with 11:45 remaining in the second half when Moore drained a three-pointer off a feed from freshman guard Jess Korzec (West Brookfield, MA). The Hawks chipped away over the next 8:28 and finally regained the lead, 51-50 on a pair of made free throws by senior guard Lisa Lutz (Downers Grove, IL).
RWU opened a six point advantage with just 1:30 to play when sophomore guard Emma Klis (East Northport, NY) nailed a three-pointer. The Anchorwomen chipped away and tied the game with 21 seconds remaining when Moore nailed a deep three-pointer. Korzec had a layup opportunity with one second remaining but sophomore center Bridget Quilty (Duxbury, MA) swatted it away.
Overtime saw the two teams trade baskets early until Moore started the hosts on a run. She canned a three-pointer with 1:55 left, and after an Anchorwoman free throw gave RIC a 65-61 advantage, Moore helped seal the victory with a key steal and layup. The Hawks were unable to score a bucket down the stretch and two free throws by Moore and a layup by sophomore guard Meghan Reall (Smithfield, RI) gave the game its final, 71-61.
Quilty recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 boards, while Nicholas also recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. The Hawks shot 26.5 percent (18-for-68) from the field, 12.5 percent (2-for-16) from downtown and 74.2 percent (23-for-31) from the charity stripe for the game.
RIC was led by Moore's 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Korzec chipped in with 13 points and four steals. Junior guard Michelle Lagrotteria (Niantic, CT) rounded out the Anchorwomen in double figures by scoring 13 points. The Anchorwomen shot 37.7 percent (26-for-69) from the field for the game, while shooting 45.5 percent (10-for-22) from three-point range and 52.9 percent (9-for-17) from the free throw line.
RIC's three-point shooting performance was impressive, considering the Anchorwomen came into today's action with only 14 longballs on the season and shooting just 16 percent.
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at Johnson & Wales on Thursday, Dec. 4 (7 p.m.).