SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Roger Williams University women's basketball team remained unbeaten in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play, defeating Western New England, 53-43, on Wednesday in the Alumni Healthful Living Center.
The Hawks and Golden Bears played to an 8-8 draw in second chance points, while Western New England had 21 points coming off of the bench to the Hawks six. Roger Williams outscored Western New England 28-22 in the paint, and 10-7 on fastbreak opportunities.
Roger Wiliams was led offensively by
Katie Galligan (Pembroke, Mass.) who scored 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor. Galligan also dished out three assists pulled down a pair of boards, and a steal.
Kendi Barnard (Bedford, N.H.) had 12 points with five rebounds, and was a major factor on the defensive end, blocking three shots and earning two steals.
Sophie Araneo (Branford, Conn.) also had seven points while pulling down 7 boards.
Western New England's Emma Novajasky had eight points with two rebounds and an assist playing 14 minutes off the bench.
Araneo knocked down the Hawks first opportunity of the game, a three pointer. The Golden Bears then came down the floor a few possessions later to convert a lay in attempts by Emma Kahn. The Hawks expanded their lead to seven, before Western New England cut the lead down to two before the end of the quarter.
The Hawks were then outscored 14-5 in the second quarter, as the Golden Bears took a 25-18 lead into the halftime break.
After a pair of free throws by Barnard, cut the lead to three,
Caroline Elie (Rockland, Mass.) and Coppola then combined for three points to level the score, 27-27. Emma Elrod then finished a layup before Elie then finished another layup to tie it. A pair of layups by Rosa took the lead for Roger Williams.
In the final frame, Roger Williams scored 20 points, outscoring the Golden Bears by eight on way to a 10 points victory.
Roger Williams (17-3, 13-0 CCC) will prepare for a visit from Gordon on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1 pm in the Campus Rec Center. They will then go to Newport for a 5:30 pm tilt with the Seahawks of Salve Regina on Tuesday, Feb. 7.
