BRISTOL, R.I. – The No. 1 Roger Williams women's basketball team sailed past No. 5 Western New England on Thursday evening in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Semifinals in the Campus Rec Center, downing the Golden Bears, 56-40.
The Hawks top three scorers finished in double figures. Caroline Elie (Rockland, Mass.) put up 17 points, eight rebounds, and five steals. Sophie Araneo (Branford, Conn.) had 11 points and five rebounds while Katie Galligan (Pembroke, Mass.) added 10 points and five assists. Kendi Barnard (Bedford, N.H.) led defensively with four blocks and tied for a team-high eight rebounds.
On the Golden Bears side, both Lindsey Carey and Emma Elrod, coming off the bench, each scored 11 points. Carey had one block while Elrod had one steal.
Galligan started off scoring with a layup. Nikki Rosa (Nahant, Mass.) added a second layup before the Golden Bears were able to put one in. Roger Williams was able to maintain a lead throughout the first frame, although Western New England would not fall far behind. The Hawks scored off of six layups in quarter. With less than a minute in the period, the Golden Bears sank a three-pointer, giving them the lead, 14-13. This was short-lived as Rosa put in a three-pointer of her own on the ensuing possession, bringing the Hawks back on top, 16-14.
Into the second quarter, Emma Kahn of Western New England scored on a three-pointer before Elie followed suit, landing a three-point shot of her own. The Hawks went on to score four more times before the Golden Bears were able to get another shot in. Western New England gained eight points in the second frame while Roger Williams added 18 on their side, ending the half with the Hawks leading, 34-22.
Roger Williams scored nine points in the third quarter, but held the Golden Bears to eight. Araneo put in the lone three-pointer for the Hawks of the frame.
Araneo rounded out scoring for Roger Williams in the fourth as the Hawks held off the Golden Bears. The Hawks had six fast break points and led the Golden Bears on points in the paint, 30-18.
No. 1 Roger Williams will play in the CCC Championship on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 12 pm against the winner of No. 6 Endicott and No. 2 University of New England.
