BRISTOL, R.I. – The #24^th-ranked Roger Williams University Women's Basketball team remained undefeated on the year with a 72-55 victory over Salve Regina University Wednesday evening.
 
Hawk Highlights
Sam Mancinelli: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals
Karli Opalka: 7 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal
Sophie Araneo: 10 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Caroline Elie: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
 
For The Opponents
Amanda Folan: 11 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 3 steals
Ashley Rourke: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
Lauren Wilmot: 9 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
Megan Henaghan: 6 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks
 
How It Happened
The Hawks' in-state conference rival kept the pressure on Roger Williams early in the game. Both sides traded points early one before Briana Neary (Wayne, N.J.) knocked down a shot to put Salve in the lead 6-4. Salve would keep the Hawks at bay, not allowing RWU to regain the lea over a six-minute stretch. A layup by Ashley Rourke (Londonderry, N.H.) put the Seahawks up 12-8 with 3:30 to play in the opening quarter.
 
After an RWU timeout, the Hawks' Peri MacDonald (Melrose, Mass.) laid in a basket to help kick start a 10-0 run for RWU to end the period. Roger Williams would turn a four-point deficit into a six-point lead, going into the second up 18-12.
 
In the second, RWU's defense continued to hound the Seahawks, as they remained scoreless in the first three minutes of play. The Hawks were able to extend the lead to 11 on a three-pointer by Sophie Araneo (Branford, Conn.), making it a 23-12 game. Roger Williams maintained their double-digit lead throughout most of the quarter, with Reese Codero (Whitman, Mass.) sinking a three on RWU's final possession to help send RWU into halftime up 41-21.
 
In the third quarter, the Hawks struggled shooting from the field, going 5-for-26 in the period, while Salve shot 58.3 percent in the period (7-for-12). The key for RWU in the quarter was their offensive rebounding, as they were able to keep possessions alive and drain time off the clock. The Hawks grabbed a whopping 14 offensive boards in the quarter, including three each by Caroline Elie (Rockland, Mass.), Karli Opalka (Southbury, Conn.), and Nikki Rosa (Nahant, Mass.). Salve managed to cut into the deficit, but still trailed by 13 entering the fourth (42-55). In the final period, the Hawks held on to their double-digit advantage the whole way and rolled to the win.
 
What's Next
#24 Roger Williams (11-0, 6-0 CCC): Saturday, January 15 at University of New England @ 1:00pm
Salve Regina (4-6, 3-1): Saturday, January 15 at Western New England @ 1:00pm