FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2009

SOUTHERN MAINE DOWNS ANCHORWOMEN, 71-56
Huskies Avenge Earlier Loss to RIC

Gorham, ME—Rhode Island College freshman forward Rachel Riley (Coventry, RI) scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as Southern Maine downed the Anchorwomen, 71-56, at Hill Gymnasium in collegiate women’s basketball action on Saturday afternoon.

 Freshman Forward Rachel Riley

The Anchorwomen had defeated the Huskies, 82-74, snapping a 24-game losing streak to USM, back on Jan. 13. Southern Maine raises its record to 18-5 overall and 8-4 in the Little East Conference, while RIC drops to 10-13 overall and 5-7 in league action.

USM opened the game up with a 12-0 run, paced by six points from Kristi Violette and a three-pointer by Kaylie DeMillo. Hayley Johnson put the hosts up by eight, 17-9, with a layup at 10:50.

The Anchorwomen battled back, going on 15-9 run to cut the deficit down to two points, 26-24, at 2:09, capped by a freshman guard Stephanie Coro (North Providence, RI) jump shot. USM answered with a three-point basket from Stacey Kent and two jumpers from Ruthie Briggs to raise the advantage to nine points, 33-24, with 31 seconds left in the first stanza. RIC senior guard Tyla Martin (Cumberland, RI) canned a three with 14 seconds left to pull the Anchorwomen within six, 33-27, at the break.

Southern Maine came out firing in the second half, opening the frame on a 7-2 run, paced by two Johnson layups and a Nicole Paradis trey. RIC whittled down the deficit to five points, 45-40, at 9:13 with a Riley layup, but the visitors would not get any closer.

Two free throws and a trifecta from Kent put USM back up by 10, 50-40, at the 7:33 mark. The hosts connected on 11 free throws over the last 2:01, paced by six from DeMillo, to seal the win.

The Anchorwomen shot 34 percent (20-for-59) from the floor, but struggled mightily from downtown, shooting just 15 percent (3-for-20). The Huskies shot 40 percent (19-for-47) from the field and 77 percent (24-for-31) from the free throw line.

DeMillo led all scorers with 22 points, while Violette narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Paradis rounded out the USM contingent in double figures with 13 points.

Coro helped the RIC cause with 10 points.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue the Little East schedule at Western Connecticut on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

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