Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. – The top-seeded Roger Williams University Women's Basketball team set a new school record with its 24th victory of the season, as the Hawks defeated #5 seed Gordon College 70-47 to earn a berth to the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship.
 
Hawk Highlights
Katie Galligan: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Karli Opalka: 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block
Sam Mancinelli: 9 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 block, 4 steals
Sophie Araneo: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Caroline Elie: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
 
For The Opponents
Madison Wynbeek: 20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 4 steals
Isabella Rivera: 11 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Serianna Anderson: 6 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 block
 
How It Happened
As the game opened with both teams surrendering traveling calls on their first touches, it was Gordon College notching the first basket of the game on a short jumper by Madison Wynbeek (North Haledon, N.J.). After that it was all Roger Williams, led by Kendi Barnard (Bedford, N.H.) rolling in two layups, snagging three boards, and grabbing a steal to put the home squad on an early 8-0 run. A smooth euro-step from Katie Galligan (Pembroke, Mass.) right up the gut of the Fighting Scotts defense, as well as a steal and two assists from senior captain Sam Mancinelli (Peabody, Mass.) helped to get the Hawks to a 13-point lead heading into the second quarter.
 
Starting off the second frame, Gordon College tried to take control, going on a quick 6-2 run over first two minutes of quarter. Yet just like earlier, the Hawks weathered the storm, and took a commanding 22-point lead heading into the half. Mancinelli continued to lead the way for Roger Williams, adding six points, three boards, two takeaways, and four helpers, while Sophie Araneo (Branford, Conn.) led the team with 11 points. Meanwhile, for the Fighting Scotts, Madison Wynbeek (North Haledon, N.J.) did all she could as she led Gordon with 11 points, 8 rebounds, and a block.
 
After a quick first half that saw Roger Williams take a 40-18 lead into the third session of play, it was the Fighting Scotts who once again came out on fire with a 13-6 run that saw the Hawks' advantage get cut to 15. The only thing that could slow them down was an RWU timeout with four minutes left in the frame. After that, the home team regained their dominant form, outscoring the visitors 8-3 and swiping three more steals to close out the quarter.
 
Two layups from Karli Opalka (Southbury, Conn.) that was promptly followed by two three pointers from Galligan and Mancinelli helped end another slow start on the offensive side of the court for RWU. For Gordon, the Rivera sisters did most of the damage for in the quarter, combining for eight of the Fighting Scots' 12 points including a pair of threes. Wynbeek finished the contest with a double-double, but it was ultimately not enough as Roger Williams dropped 70 and won by 23 to earn the right to host the CCC Championship Game for the first time in program history.
 
What's Next
Roger Williams (24-2): Saturday, February 26 vs. Endicott/University of New England @ 2:00pm (CCC Championship)
Gordon (12-14): Season Complete