BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Roger Williams University women's basketball team recorded their first win of 2023, defeating the Nor'easters of the University of New England, 58-38, on Tuesday in the Harold Alfond Forum in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play.

The Hawks scored 17 of their points off of turnovers, with four of those coming on the fast break.  The Hawks also scored 26 points in the paint, with 14 second chance points in the matchup.

Leading the way for Roger Williams was Nikki Rosa (Nahant, Mass.) who tallied 16 points in the contest, while shooting an efficient 6-of-8 from the floor. Rosa also pulled down nine boards, to pair with two assists, adding three steals and a block on the defensive end.

Katie Galligan (Pembroke, Mass.) had 13 points in just over 20 minutes on the floor, with a pair of boards and two assists, with three steals. Caroline Elie (Rockland, Mass.) also scored in double figures with 11 points and adding seven rebounds, Elie also had a strong showing on defense with three blocks and two steals.

With the Hawks leading 7-6 in the first quarter, UNE rattled off 11 straight points to take a 17-7 lead with 1:40 remaining in the quarter.  Sophia Coppola (Madison, Conn.) knocked down a three pointer with 30 seconds remaining before Cameron Watkins hit a layup with five seconds on the clock in the opening frame.

The Nor'easters led by 12 points, leading 23-11 with 8:18 remaining in the half, before a layup by Kendi Barnard (Bedford, N.H.) kicked off a 14-point run by the Hawks that was capped off by a free throw by Lizzy Stevenson (Bedford, N.H.). The Hawks and University of New England went into the half tied after the Nor'easters knocked down a pair of free throws.

Tied 29-29, 1:35 into the second half, the Hawks outscored the Nor'easters, 15-5 over the rest of the quarter taking a 10-point lead into the final frame. Roger Williams then outscored the University of New England 14-4 in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Roger Williams (8-2, 4-0 CCC) will host Salve Regina on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 5:30 pm in the Campus Rec Center before traveling to Wenham, Mass. for a 1:00 pm tilt against Gordon in CCC play.