NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – The Roger Williams University Women's Basketball team overcame a 14-point first half deficit on Monday, defeating the Cardinals of Wesleyan University, 70-60.
 
The Hawks were able to outscore Wesleyan, 29-11 in the final frame of the contest to secure the win. Sophia Coppola (Madison, Conn.) tallied a game-high 20 points, knocking down each of her eight attempts from the free throw line.  Elizabeth Dufrane (Falls Church, Va.) added 13 points with five steals in the contest. Sophomore Chloe Richardson (Norwell, Mass.) added 10 points and a pair of steals. Lilli Clark (Willimantic, Conn.) led RWU in rebounds with nine.
 
For Wesleyan, Meghan Kirck had 16 points, with Tori DaCosta and Olivia Quinn also scoring in double figures, with 13 and 12 respectively. DaCosta also led the team with nine rebounds, while Felicia Fongemie had six assists.
 
After heading into the second quarter trailing, 14-7, the Hawks saw the lead grow to as many as 14 points with 1:22 remaining in the opening half, with the Cardinals leading 38-24 at the break.
 
Roger Williams began to cut into the deficit in the third, outscoring Wesleyan 17-11 in the frame before the Hawks continued to surge in the fourth quarter. Sparked by a 15-point run, the Hawks took their first lead of the contest with a fastbreak layup by Dufrane. The Hawks led by as many as 12 in the closing minute of the contest as they closed out the win.
 
Roger Williams (6-3, 3-0 CNE) will face host Smith on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 3:00 pm to close out their 2024 slate.  The Hawks will then host Suffolk on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 1:00 pm in the campus Rec Center as they return to Conference of New England (CNE) action to begin 2025.