RIC athletics weekly sports recap: Women’s hoops stuns nationally-ranked Southern Maine and wrestling honors team alumni

Tim Yean

Sports Editor

Sunday, Feb. 1

Gymnastics @ Ithaca Tri-Meet – team score 187.900, second place

The Anchorwomen netted a second place finish in a three-team meet, placing ahead of Springfield College (186.300) with the winner of the meet being the hosting Ithaca College (189.575). Second-year Aaliyah Krause was first all-around (37.625 total points), and posted two top-three performances with third-place finishes on bars and on floor. Third-year Payton Greene followed up Krause with a second-place mark all-around with a point total of 36.475.

Graphic by Anchor Staff

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Women’s basketball vs #25 University of Southern Maine – W, 70-62

A tough matchup against a one-loss Southern Maine squad that was 11-0 in Little East play only motivated the Anchorwomen to put forth an exemplary effort and topple the 25th-ranked women’s hoops team in NCAA Division III per D3hoops.com. A strong shooting performance (14-for-24 as a team, 4-for-7 3PT) in the second half provided the advantage needed for the upset. Third-year guard Abby Wager had a career-high 29 points (11-for-19, 2-6 3PT) alongside 10 rebounds for the double-double. Second-year guard Jaina Yekelchik had another efficient night with 17 points (5-for-9, 3-6 3PT). Third-year guard Meagan Schuermann had 11 points (4-for-13, 3-for-7 3PT) and seven rebounds. The win brings the Anchorwomen to the 10-win mark in league play.

Men’s basketball vs University of Southern Maine – L, 74-68

The Anchormen held a 15-point lead over the Huskies four minutes into the second half, but Southern Maine rallied and came back to stay above RIC in conference standings. Third-year Xavier Mendez had a game-leading 21 points (7-for-18, 1-for-5 3PT) and 21 rebounds in a dominant performance for the guard/forward. Third-year guards Loudon Chupas, Tyriek Weeks and CJ Wilson reached double-digit point totals. 

Friday, Feb. 6

Wrestling vs Roger Williams University – L, 36-11

Prior to the meet, the Anchormen celebrated alumni of the wrestling team, with a large returning cast that included 2025 RIC Athletic Hall of Fame inductee George Macary. First-year Domenick Sousa won by tech fall in the 125-pound match but Roger Williams quickly built up an advantage in the following matches. Second-year Constantine Isaac won by pin at the 157-pound match, the only other match won by the Anchormen as the Hawks dominated the in-state matchup.

Women’s track and field @ Riverhawk Invitational (Lowell, MA) – Individual meet, no scoring

The Anchorwomen yet again faced off against D-I and D-II talent. Fourth-year Haley Oliver broke the program record in the mile (set previously by herself) with a time of 5:02.01, good for an eighth-place finish in the meet. Second-year Bendu Kamara’s time in the 400m open (1:02.81) was a new personal best and good for seventh in the event. First-year Naibel Noriega set new personal bests in the 200m open (26.18, ninth in event) and 400m invite (58.56, 11th).

Saturday, Feb. 7

Men’s track and field @ Riverhawk Invitational (Lowell, MA) – Individual meet, no scoring

Like the Anchorwomen, the men also faced off against opponents from higher divisions. Fourth-year Brandon Mota had a season-best performance in the weight throw (17.00m) to finish eighth in the event. First-year Maycol Reynoso set personal bests in the 200m open (22.40, 13th) and the 60m prelims (7.01, 16th). Third-year Andrew Frezza set a personal record in the 3,000m (8:54.35, 39th).

Wrestling @ New England College – W, 33-14

The Anchormen bounced back from a tough loss the night before to spoil the Pilgrims’ senior day. Seven out of the ten matches went to RIC’s favor. Fifth-year 174-pounder Aidan Faria and second-year 157-pounder Constantine Isaac won by pin against their opponent. First-year Imanol Taveras won by tech fall at the 197-pound matchup.

Women’s basketball @ University of Massachusetts Boston – W, 64-52

The score was 25-24 Anchorwomen at the half, RIC blasted open in the third quarter, dominating UMass Boston 21-9 to help secure the sweep. Third-year guard Abby Wager led RIC scorers with 17 points (5-for-12) alongside eight boards. First-year forward Eva Monahan notched 14 points (7-for-12) and eight rebounds. Third-year guard Meagan Schuermann led all players with 13 rebounds and added 12 points (4-for-8). RIC pushes to 11-2 in the LEC to maintain their second-place standing.

Men’s basketball @ University of Massachusetts Boston – L, 82-69

The Anchormen dropped three consecutive LEC contests and were held to under 70 in as many games. Fourth-year guard Loudon Chupas registered a team-high 21 points (8-for-10, 2-for-4 three). Junior guard/forward Xavier Mendez recorded a double-double with 15 points (7-for-16, 1-for-4 three) and a game-leading 15 rebounds. A hot 7-3 start in conference play has cooled to 7-6 and an 11-11 record overall.