BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Women's Basketball team could not open the New Year with a win, as local rival Rhode Island College defeated the Hawks by a score of 79-50.

The Anchorwomen threw a full-court press throughout the game, forcing 28 turnovers and stifling the Hawk offense. On the other end of the court, RIC crashed the offensive boards, outrebounding Roger Williams 26-8 on the offensive end.

RIC began the game with a pair of layups by Denise Scott (Yonkers, N.Y.) and Rachel Riley (Coventry R.I.) for a quick 4-0 advantage. The Hawks came back with a bucket by Alexandria Lanieri (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) two free throws by Elizabeth Kilzi (Waverly, Pa.) to tie the game. That would be as close as the Hawks would get throughout the remainder of the game, as the Anchorwomen scored 13 straight points, nine of which came from Stephanie Coro (North Providence, R.I.).

RIC maintained its double-digit lead throughout the half, with the team's largest lead a 20-point advantage at the 6:16 mark with the score 39-19. Despite the large deficit, the Hawks were able to climb their way back within 12 by the end of the period, with Lanieri and Danielle Perrault (Ridgefield, Conn.) responsible for all but four of the Hawks final 16 points in the final 4:47 of the half.

The Hawks' effort was quickly undone by the Anchorwomen in the opening of the second half, as three straight RIC layups stretched the lead back to 18 in the first two minutes of the frame. Pushing the tempo hard in the half, Rhode Island College scored 20 points in the first 5:48 of the half, while holding RWU to only four points in that stretch. Leading 64-36 at that point, the RIC lead never dropped below 23, easing to the 29 point win.

Riley finished with a double-double for Rhode Island College, scoring 18 with 11 rebounds, both game highs. Coro added 16 points and three steals, while Scott chipped in with 12 points.

Lanieri notched her fifth double-double of the season for RWU, going for ten points and 11 boards. Nicole Atchue (North Grafton, Mass.) led the Hawks in scoring with 12 points to go along with six rebounds, while Kilzi added ten points.

Roger Williams (3-7) begins Commonwealth Coast Conference play Saturday against Nichols College at 1:00 p.m., while Rhode Island College (9-3) returns to Little East play Saturday at Keene State College for a 1:00 p.m. matchup.