Nicklas Heminger
Sports Editor
The Rhode Island College Anchorwomen entered the week having won 15 straight games, with two Little East Conference matchups on the horizon. The Anchorwomen traveled to the University of Southern Maine to take on the Huskies Wednesday, before hosting the Keene State Owls Saturday.
In a LEC battle, the Anchorwomen (16-2, 9-0 LEC) traveled to Southern Maine (5-11, 3-6 LEC) to take on the Huskies. The Anchorwomen started the game fast as they opened the game up on an 8-0 run, before cruising to a 13-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Huskies were able to cut the lead to only four points shortly into the second quarter, but the Anchorwomen would answer back and promptly push their lead to 13 points before the Huskies would score again. The Anchorwomen kept their foot on the gas throughout the last five minutes of the second quarter, as their lead expanded to 23 points before the half. The Anchorwomen carried a 36-13 lead into the break. The Anchorwomen had two players score in double-figures at half with Angelina Nardolillo and Jeniyah Jones both posting 10 points a piece. Madison Medbury led the team on the boards, pulling down eight rebounds in the first half.
The Anchorwomen opened the second half up with a 16-2 run that pushed RIC’s lead to as many as 34 points. The rest of the quarter saw the teams trade baskets back and forth, as RIC would take a 58-27 lead into the fourth quarter.
RIC continued the onslaught, as they once again opened the quarter up on another large run, this one a 14-2 run to balloon the lead to 43 points. The Anchorwomen would comfortably finish out the game, winning by a final of 75-35. RIC finished the game with four players scoring in double figures, with Nardolillo leading the way with a team-high 20 points. Jones finished with 17 points to go along with seven rebounds. Izabelle Booth and Medbury both posted double-doubles, with Booth scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds while Medbury 11 points along with 11 rebounds.
The win pushed the Anchorwomen to 17-2 on the seasons and a perfect 10-0 in LEC play. The win also marked Coach Jenna Cosgrove’s 100th career win.
The Anchorwomen hosted the Keene State Owls in another LEC clash. The Owls entered the game with a record of 4-12 overall and 2-8 in LEC play. The Anchorwomen started the game on fire as they would hold the Owls to seven points, while scoring 26 points themselves. The second quarter was all RIC, as the Anchorwomen went on a 14-1 run that spanned over five minutes before Keene State was able to convert on a layup. The Anchorwomen’s lead grew to 32 points before the break, as RIC held a dominant 44-12 lead at the half. Neleesha Meunier, Claire Greene and Booth led the Anchorwomen in scoring at the half with 7 points each. Booth also led the team in rebounds with six.
The third quarter was back and forth, as the Owls and the Anchorwomen would trade baskets throughout. The Anchorwomen built upon their lead during the quarter as they took a 37 point into the fourth quarter. RIC outscored the Owls 15-10 in the fourth quarter, all while cruising to a 72-30 victory. Meunier led the Anchorwomen in points with 11, while Antonia Corsinetti and Green chipped in nine points each. Nardolillo, Booth and Jones each grabbed nine rebounds. Nardolillo and Booth each had eight points to go along with the team-high in rebounds, while Jones added an additional six points.
The Anchorwomen are in action Wednesday, when they travel to Western Connecticut State to take on the Wolves.