Rhode Island College Defeats Women's Basketball, 59-40

Providence, RI --- Rhode Island College senior Alexia Vega (North Providence, RI) finished with a career-high 11 points in 17 minutes off the bench to guide the Anchorwomen to a 59-40 victory over Worcester State in non-conference women's basketball action this afternoon at The Murray Center.

With the win, 2012 NCAA Division III Tournament participant Rhode Island College moves to 3-1 while the Lancers slip to 1-3 on the young season.

RIC freshman Vandell Andrade (Providence, RI) added 12 points, six rebounds and two steals for the hosts, while junior Cara Paladino (Arlington, MA) chipped in with six points, seven rebounds, four steals, three blocks and two assists.

The Lancers were led by senior Meaghan O'Keefe (Warren, MA), who finished with 10 points and eight rebounds, while junior Meaghan Burns (West Brookfield, MA) tallied 10 points and four rebounds. Sophomore Shannen El-Qasem (Rutland, MA) added nine points in the loss.

After taking a 26-19 lead into halftime, the Anchorwomen led by as many as 12 and began to pull away from the Lancers in the early stages of the second half.

However, the Blue and Gold responded with a 10-2 run to make it, 36-32, with 11:02 on the clock, capped off by a pair of free throws from O'Keefe.

Rhode Island College answered with an astounding, 18-2, run to make it, 54-34, and give the Anchorwomen a 20-point lead, their largest of the game, with 4:36 left to play, as they cruised ahead for the win.

The Anchorwomen held a definitive advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Lancers, 39-31 while also grobbling up 18 offensive rebounds as a team. RIC also used stingy defense in the half-court and the full-court to record 19 steals and force 30 turnovers.

Rhode Island College shot 37 percent (23-for-63) from the field and 63 percent (12-for-19) from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Worcester State shot 37 percent (14-for-38) from the floor and 71 percent (10-for-14) from the charity stripe.

Worcester State will play in the Hockenbury Tournament at Norwich starting on Friday and take on UMaine Fort Kent in the first round at 8 PM. RIC hosts Emmanuel on Thursday at 5:30 in a rematch of the second round of last years NCAA Tournament.

Major Portions Of Release Courtesy of Rhode Island College Sports Information