BIDDEFORD, Maine - Roger Williams University erased an 11-point, 4th-quarter deficit and hung on in the final seconds for a 58-56 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) women's basketball result against the University of New England on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 19) at the Harold Alfond Forum.
The Hawks trailed by as many as 18 (35-17) moments into the 3rd frame, and reduced things down to 48-37 entering the last period. RWU then used the first portion of the 4th to construct a 14-1 spurt without missing a shot, which gave the visitors their first lead since it was 3-2.
Gabby Jerahian accounted for half of the scoring (7) during the run.
UNE, however, led down the stretch at 52-51, 55-54, and 56-55 (0:32). Roger Williams used a sideline out-of-bounds play to get
Sam Leone free for the go-ahead layup with 25 ticks remaining, and, following a Nor'easter miss, the Hawks added one free throw with 0:04 left. The hosts earned a pair at the line on a foul as time expired, but the first try bounced out.
The only five scorers for the Hawks all reached double figures, paced by
Karli Opalka with 14 points. Jerahian and
Margarita Delaporta each contributed 12, with Delaporta also grabbing 11 rebounds. Leone and
Sam Mancinelli both registered 10 points, and Mancinelli handed out five assists.
Roger Williams overcame 21 turnovers by hitting 41.5 percent (22-for-53) from the floor, as opposed to UNE's 28.8 percent (19-of-66).
For the Nor'easters, Sadie Nelson recorded of double-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals. Ashley Coneys and Jocelyn Chaput tossed in 11 points apiece, while combining for 13 caroms (7 and 6, respectively). Madalyn Sanborn totaled nine points.
The Hawks coughed up possession 13 times in the opening half, leading to 15 UNE points going the other way. The hosts limited RWU to 28 percent field-goal accuracy prior to intermission, and sat on a 31-17 advantage at the break.
The Nor'easters are scheduled to visit Gordon College (2-7 CCC) on Tuesday.
- Release courtesy of the University of New England Sports Information Department
