BRISTOL, R.I. – A thrilling comeback bid by the #16 Roger Williams University Women's Basketball team fell just short in overtime, as the University of New England won 61-57 in overtime and gave the Hawks their first Commonwealth Coast Conference loss of the season.
 
Hawk Highlights
Katie Galligan: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals
Karli Opalka: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Caroline Elie: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 4 steals
Sophie Araneo: 7 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
 
For The Opponents
Allie Goodman: 18 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
Abby Cavallaro: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 1 steal
Kaylee Beyor: 12 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Juliana Tracey: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals
 
How It Happened
Throughout the game, shots were not falling for the Hawks as they normally have been this season. As a result, Roger Williams University trailed for much of the game, down 10-16 after the first quarter, 25-33 at the half, and 39-45 after three.
 
In the fourth, Roger Williams found themselves down 41-51 with 7:30 left in the game. Somehow, the Hawks used strong defense and hit some timely baskets to climb their way back in the game. Katie Galligan (Pembroke, Mass.) ran the paint and put in a layup with 1:22 to play to make it a 48-53 game. Then Caroline Elie (Rockland, Mass.) and Sam Mancinelli (Peabody, Mass.) forced back-to-back turnovers on Abby Cavallaro to squeeze out three RWU points and make it 51-53 with under a minute.
 
With 27 seconds left, Kendi Barnard (Bedford, N.H.) got a weakside block on a layup by Allie Goodman to give RWU a chance to tie. Elie would eventually drive to the basket and miss a layup, but Barnard grabbed the board and kicked it out to Galligan. She passed up a three for a drive and got fouled with six second left. She would sink both crucial free throws to help send the game into overtime.
 
In the extra period, Galligan hit the first basket halfway in before Sierra Tartre answered with a three for the Nor'Easters. Neither side was able to score until an ill-advised foul by RWU sent Juliana Tracey to the line for two with 39 seconds left. She hit both shots to make it 58-55. On RWU's next possession, Galligan tipped in a missed shot to bring RWU back within one. On the other end, Goodman hit one of two free throws to make it a two-point game.
 
After an RWU timeout and an advance over half-court, the Nor'Easters were able to force a turnover on the inbound and allow Cavallaro to hit a pair of free throws for a four-point lead that would clinch the game for UNE.
 
What's Next
Roger Williams (20-2, 15-1 CCC): Wednesday, February 16 at Suffolk @ 5:30pm
Univ. of New England (15-8, 13-3 CCC): Wednesday, February 16 vs. Gordon @ 5:30pm