BRISTOL, R.I.-- The Roger Williams University women's basketball team soared past Nichols College on Saturday afternoon in the Campus Rec Center gymnasium, winning against the Bison, 104-76, completing an undefeated Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) regular season slate.
Prior to the start of the game, the team's five senior players were recognized. The seniors celebrated were Peri MacDonald (Melrose, Mass.), Kendi Barnard (Bedford, N.H.), Nikki Rosa (Nahant, Mass.), Lizzy Stevenson (Bedford, N.H.), and Sophie Araneo (Branford, Conn.)
Caroline Elie (Rockland, Mass.) was the Hawks' top scorer, earning 21 points, adding 10 rebounds and two steals. Katie Galligan (Pembroke, Mass.) scored 19 points, had 11 rebounds, and two blocks. Rosa earned 14 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
On the Bison side, Abrianna Vasquez was the top scorer, putting in 26 points. Also scoring in the twenties was Kiera Fernandes, who earned 25 points.
The Hawks' five seniors comprised the starting lineup for the game. The first shot made for Roger Williams was on a layup by Barnard. A total of seven layups were put in by the Hawks during the first frame. Rosa scored the lone three-pointer in the first quarter, propelling Roger Williams ahead. The Hawks were up going into the second quarter, 21-18.
Taking the momentum into the second frame, the Hawks went on to gain a 21-point lead that was solidified when Araneo put in a jump-shot with just over one minute left in the first half. Neither team would score again before the clock ran out, leaving the score at 57-36 at the end of the period.
Points for the Hawks were scored from layups and free-throws in the third quarter, with 10 layups being put in during the frame.
Scoring was rounded out by Elie on a free throw. The Hawks led the Bison in rebounds, 67-27, and blocks, 4-3.
Roger Williams (22-3, 18-0 CCC) is set to play in the CCC Quarterfinals on Tuesday, February 21 at the Roger Williams Campus Rec Center. The Hawks enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed for the second consecutive year and will host the No. 8 seed Nichols at 6 pm.
