Providence, R.I.-Junior forward Devin Hill (Danielson, CT) finished with a game-high 17 points to go along with nine rebounds, while sophomore guard Jessica Patalano (Exeter, RI) chipped in seven points and two steals off the bench, as the Rhode Island College women's basketball team fell, 55-51, to Little East Conference rival Southern Maine at The Murray Center on Saturday.

The Anchorwomen (6-17, 4-8 LEC) opened an 11-6 lead at the 10:20 mark when Patalano scored five straight points for the hosts. USM (12-11, 8-4 LEC) responded with an 11-2 run, capped by an free throw by junior forward Ella Ramonas (Portland, ME) with 2:03 left in the stanza. A trifecta from RIC sophomore guard Alex Moore (West Newbury, MA) cut the deficit down to one, 17-16, but a late three-pointer from USM junior forward Gretchen Anderson (Kittery Point, ME) made the score 20-16 Huskies entering the locker room. 

The second half saw a tightly contested battle early, with the Huskies taking a 25-23 lead on a jumper by senior guard Rebecca Knight (Alfred, ME). USM extended its lead to 10, 33-23, on a layup by Ramonas with 13:04 left in the game. The lead ballooned to as large as 13, 38-25 with 8:32 left in the half, but hot shooting by the Anchorwomen ignited a late rally.

A steal and layup by Moore with 5:34 left in the contest would cut the USM lead to two, 40-38, but stingy defense by the Huskies would see them holding a seven-point, 51-44, advantage with 55 seconds left to play. The Anchorwomen rallied again down the stretch, with a three-ball by Moore again cutting the visitor's lead down to two, but the Huskies would make their free throws down the stretch to escape with the 55-51 victory.

In addition to Hill and Patalano, Moore poured in 15 points and four rebounds. RIC shot 33.3 percent (19-for-57) from the field, 20.8 percent (5-for-24) from three-point range and 72.7 (8-for-11) from the charity stripe.

Ramonas led the Huskies with 14 points, nine rebounds and four steals, while Knight scored 16 and grabbed seven boards. USM shot 37.5 percent (15-for-40) from the field, 42.9 percent (3-for-7) from three-point land and 68.8 percent (22-for-32) from the charity stripe.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East Conference action at home against UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday, Feb. 17 (5:30 p.m.).