FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 20, 2009

RILEY HELPS LEAD ANCHORWOMEN
PAST SALEM STATE, 54-52

Salem, MA—Sophomore forward Rachel Riley (Coventry, RI) grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds, while scoring nine points, as Rhode Island College edged Salem State, 54-52, in semifinal action of the Salem State Tip-Off Tournament on Friday evening at Twohig Gymnasium. The Anchorwomen advance to face Northwood in the Championship Game tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m.

Sophomore forward Rachel Riley

"While our offense came and went in spurts throughout the game, I was very proud of our commitment to defending for 40 tough minutes and rebounding on both ends of the floor," RIC Head Coach Marcus Reilly said. "Outrebounding one of the top post trios we will face all year by a 60-38 margin, including 29 offensive rebounds, exemplifies the commitment level of our kids tonight."

Rhode Island College (2-0) held the lead by as much as 11 points in the first half but Salem State (0-1) cut the deficit with a run at the end of the first half to trail by only three, 29-26 at the half.

 Salem State’s tight defensive post play forced the Anchorwomen to take shots from the perimeter in the second half. Rhode Island College sank only two of their 18 three-point attempts as Salem State fought back to trail by only two points with five seconds remaining in the game. The Lady Vikings missed two attempts to tie the game. First Madeleine Park’s (Blue Hill, ME) jumper bounced in and out of the hoop with five seconds left to play. The final attempt came from the hands of Danielle Jenkins (Marlborough, MA). She received a home run pass from the far end of the court, but her layup took an unlucky bounce off of the inside of the rim and sealed the game for Rhode Island College.

Sophomore guard Stephanie Coro (North Providence, RI) and senior backcourt mate LaSheena Boyd (Stratford, CT) joined Riley with a team-high nine points, while grabbing six and eight rebounds, respectively. Boyd's three-pointer with 58 seconds left proved to be the difference.

Junior guard Lauren Harrington (Exeter, RI) chipped in with five points, five boards and three steals. Freshman forward Alexia Vega (North Providence, RI) had seven points, three boards, three assists and two steals.

Freshman center Brianna Wilson (Lowell, MA) led the Vikings with a game-high 16 points and 12 rebounds for the double-double effort.

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