BRISTOL, R.I. –Third-seeded Endicott College advances to the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship Game after defeating the second-seeded Roger Williams University Women's Basketball team 60-54 Thursday evening in the CCC Semifinals.
 
Hawk Highlights
Karli Opalka (Southbury, Conn.): 12 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 3 steals
Sophie Araneo (Branford, Conn.): 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Sam Leone (Ashland, Mass.): 9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Sam Mancinelli (Peabody, Mass.): 9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Kendi Barnard (Bedford, N.H.): 4 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 steals
 
For The Opponents
Kaleigh Putnam (Wallingford, Conn.): 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 1 steal
Emily Pratt (Gardner, Mass.): 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
Mikaela Rogers (Haverhill, Mass.): 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Shannon Gilbert (Easton, Conn.): 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
 
How It Happened
Both teams had their offense rolling to begin the game, with RWU and EC shooting over 50% in the opening minutes of the contest. The Gulls began to make a run late in the quarter, breaking an 8-all tie with a 13-1 run to take a 12-point lead in the final minute. A Sam Leone three-pointer helped bring the Hawks within nine entering the fourth quarter (12-21).
 
The Hawks were able to close the gap in the second quarter, using a 12-3 run of their own to make it a one-point game. However, Endicott would not relinquish the lead, as the Gulls went into halftime up 36-29.
 
RWU stormed back in the third quarter, with Karli Opalka sending in a layup to give RWU a 39-37 lead halfway into the period. The game remained within one possession throughout the rest of the quarter, with the Hawks holding on to a slim 45-43 lead going into the fourth.
 
Endicott kept pace with the Hawks throughout the fourth until a pair of Emily Pratt free throws put the Gulls up 53-51 with 5:16 to play. The Hawk offense stalled from that point on, as RWU went 0-for-12 from the field over the next five minutes of play, allowing Endicott to extend the lead to seven with 10.9 seconds remaining. The deficit would be too much for RWU to overcome as the Gulls secured their spot in the CCC Championship Game.
 
What's Next
Roger Williams (17-10): Season Complete
Endicott (17-10): Saturday, February 29 vs. #4 Univ. of New England @ 1:00pm