BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Women's Basketball team ran over Nichols College Tuesday evening with a solid 89-52 win over the Bison for the team's 16^th consecutive victory.
 
Hawk Highlights
Karli Opalka: 10 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 steals
Kendi Barnard: 7 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks, 1 steal
Katie Galligan: 23 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal
Caroline Elie: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Sam Mancinelli: 7 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal
 
For The Opponents
Abrianna Vazquez: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Toni Geisel: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Jillian Spillane: 16 points
 
How It Happened
The game started off scoreless over the first two minutes of play before Sam Mancinelli (Peabody, Mass.) was able to break the Nichols full court press and find Karli Opalka (Southbury, Conn.) open for a layup. Nichols struggled shooting throughout the game, especially early in the quarter going 0-for-8 to start. The Bison were able to get open looks from three but were unable to connect. Conversely, Roger Williams began on a 7-0 run and were able to consistent get through the Bison's full court pressure. Case in point, Katie Galligan (Pembroke, Mass.) found Opalka open down low on the break in the final minute for the Hawks to give the team their largest lead up to that point, a 21-9 advantage. RWU would head into the next quarter up 23-12.
 
In the second, Nichols' shooting woes continued to haunt them in the quarter. After Leandra Ortiz (Ridgewood, N.J.) hit a three to begin play, the Bison missed their next six shots over the next five minutes. The Hawks were able to capitalize on the shortcomings of the Bison, scoring eight unanswered and going up by 16. RWU outscored Nichols 21-8 in the quarter and held a 44-20 lead entering halftime.
 
The Hawks began the third with eight straight points after a Summer Klein (Stamford, Conn.) three pointer. RWU took advantage by running the break constantly on the Bison. Galligan sank a free throw with 7:49 left to put RWU up by 30. A Hannah Driscoll (Hampton, N.H.) jumper helped send RWU into the fourth up 70-34. From there, RWU rolled in the fourth quarter, collecting their 16^th straight win.
 
What's Next
Roger Williams (16-0, 11-0 CCC): Thursday, January 27 vs. Smith @ 7:00pm
Nichols (7-9, 3-6 CCC): Saturday, January 29 vs. Suffolk @ 1:00pm