Providence, R.I.--The Rhode Island College women's basketball team dropped a 70-44 decision against Keene State College in a Little East Conference contest played at The Murray Center on Saturday afternoon.

RIC (5-10, 2-3 LEC) junior guard Jessa Rubera (Newton, MA) registered 13 points and three assists, while senior guard Alex Moore (West Newbury, MA) had 12 points and six boards. Sophomore forward Molly Phillips (Cranston, RI) rounded out the double figure scorers for the hosts with 11 points and six rebounds. Freshman guard Jordyn Gauvin (Fall River, MA) dished out four assists.

Junior guard Lydia Vital (Cambridge, MA) paced Keene State (10-5, 4-1 LEC) with a game-high 19 points, five steals, two rebounds and two assists. Senior forward Stephanie D'Annolfo (Tyngsborough, MA) recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards.

Keene State controlled the action in the first quarter and led by as many as 14 points on a three-pointer by Vital, making the score 21-7 with 1:22 left in the stanza. Keene State led, 21-10, at the first break. Rhode Island College responded in the second quarter and chipped away at the lead, closing to within two when a pair of free throws from Phillips put the score 31-29 heading into the locker room at halftime.

The visiting Owls regained their double figure advantage after a jumper by D'Annolfo put the visitors up by 10, 47-37, with 2:43 left in the third quarter. Keene State extended its lead throughout the final quarter, leading by as many as 29 points twice down the stretch.

RIC shot 29.3 percent (12-of-41) from the field, 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from behind the three-point stripe and 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the free throw line. Keene State shot 37.5 percent (24-of-64) from the floor, 31.4 percent (11-of-35) from three-point land and 57.9 percent (11-of-19) from the free throw line. Keene held a 45-33 advantage in rebounds for the contest and forced the Anchorwomen into 21 turnovers.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East Conference action at UMass Dartmouth on Wednesday, Jan. 19 (5:30 p.m.).