Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. –  In a battle between the top two women's basketball teams in the CCC, the Roger Williams University Women's Basketball team took over first place in the conference with a 62-54 win over the University of New England Nor'easters
 
Both teams played a hard-fought game in dedication to Ryan Weekes, a former Hawk, who graduated in 2012 before passing due to cancer.
 
The Nor'easters dominated the first quarter beginning with a 6-0 run. It started with a steal and breakaway layup from UNE's Olivia Shaw (Saco, Maine).  They were able to hold RWU scoreless until 5:50, when Mariah Nicholas (Acushnet, Mass.) broke the scoring drought with a layup. After a pair of foul shots from Sam Leone (Ashland, Mass.) for the Hawks, UNE went on a 10-2 run, making the score 16-6. The quarter ended at a score of 18-9. 
 
The second quarter started off with a post move and a score from Nicholas. The Nor'easters responded with an 8-0 run fueled by the play of Shaw. RWU came back with five straight points to cut the lead to ten with 5:50 left in the half. However, UNE would eventually go back up by 16 and eventually ended the first half with a score of 36-23 in their favor.
 
Due to RWU's determination in the third quarter, the Nor'easters were only able to score nine points, successfully cutting the deficit to 40-31 with an 8-2 run. RWU's offense scored 20 points in the third quarter with combined team effort. With two minutes left in the quarter, Rebecca Ritchie (Hanover, Mass.) helped keep RWU's the momentum with great defensive plays. With a basket from Gabby Jerahian (Quincy, Mass.), the lead was brought down to three with a score of 43-40. After a few traded baskets, the score was 45-43, Nor'easters.
 
Walther started off strongly in the fourth quarter with a three-pointer, giving the Hawks their first lead with 9:35 on the clock. She continued this great play with a block and seven points throughout the final quarter. The strong defense was not only due to Walther, but also the whole team as they held UNE to nine points. The Nor'easters felt the heat as the clock counted down from one minute as RWU held a five-point lead, at 57-52. Free throws from both Nicholas and Jerahian sealed the victory, making the final score 62-54.
 
Nicholas led the Hawks with 18 points and five blocks. Teagan Dunn contributed with five points and 12 rebounds. Anna Walther also added to the Hawks' victory with 14 points.
 
Leading the Nor'easters were Shaw and Sam Macdonald (Lebanon, N.H.) with 18 points each. Ashley Coneys (Dover, N.H.) also contributed with ten rebounds and 12 points.
 
Roger Williams (16-3, 10-2 CCC) will host Salve Regina on Tuesday. UNE (13-5, 9-2 CCC) also will be home against Eastern Nazarene on Tuesday.