BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Women's Basketball team kicked off 2008 with an 80-68 win over Connecticut College Saturday afternoon.

 

The Hawks were led by the interior play of Heather Babin (Danvers, Mass.), who scored 19 points with seven rebounds. Caitlin McNabb (Springfield, Mass.) finished with 16 points and seven boards, while Kate Malenczak (Sayville, N.Y.) and Karen Ewanowski (Middletown, Conn.) each chipped in with ten apiece.

 

Connecticut College's Katy Serafin (Carmel, N.Y.) led all players with 19 points and nine rebounds, just missing a double-double. Emily Cummings (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) scored 17 in the game, while Lindsay Michel (West Haven, Conn.) and Cindy Roseen (Wolfeboro, N.H.) adding 12 and 11, respectively.

 

The first half of the game saw both teams play neck-and-neck, seven lead changes and three ties. The Camels hit 44% from the field, while holding RWU to 33% percent from the field. Despite their difficulties from the field, the Hawks crashed the offensive boards, keeping possessions alive. As a result, RWU came away with a 30-28 advantage at the half.

 

In the second half, the Hawks gained their rhythm offensively, converting offensive opportunities into points. After the Camels pulled within one in the opening minute, RWU responded with an 18-5 run over the next six minutes to take a 49-36 lead at the 13:19 mark.

 

The Camels fought back, putting on a full-court press that stifled the Hawk offense. The defensive pressure paid off, as Connecticut College was able to come back and make it a 58-56 game with just over seven minutes to play.

 

The Camels could not overcome the two-point deficit, with RWU extending the lead back to double-digits with 3:38 left in the game. The Hawk advantage never dropped lower than eight over the remainder of the game en route to the victory.

 

Roger Williams (4-4) will host Rhode Island College Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m., while Connecticut College goes on the road to play Johnson & Wales University Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.