Danbury, Conn.--Junior guard Abby Wager (Mansfield, Mass.) registered 16 points, six steals and four blocks as Rhode Island College lost vs. Western Connecticut, 52-47, at the William A. O'Neill Center on Thursday evening.
 
THE BASICS
Western Connecticut 52-47, Rhode Island College 
Western Connecticut (5-8, 1-4 LEC)
Rhode Island College (9-4, 3-2 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Anchorwomen struggled to get going early on, but a 7-3 run in the last two minutes of the first frame put them ahead after 10 minutes, 11-8. 
 
• RIC cruised in the second quarter, as Wager posted seven points and a pair of steals in the stanza to help the visitors lead at the break by seven, 28-21.
 
• The Anchorwomen were put off by the Wolves' defense in the third frame as the hosts outscored RIC, 18-3, and held the lead, 39-31, with one quarter left to play.
 
• Sophomore guard Shalyn Smith (Middletown, Conn.) drilled a three to cut the RIC deficit down to just one, 40-41, with five minutes remaining.
 
• Junior guard Meagan Schuermann (Cooperstown, N.Y.) netted a pair of buckets in the final quarter, but it was not enough as the visitors' comeback fell short.
 
• Schuermann collected 13 points and four rebounds, while Smith netted eight points and dished out four assists.
 
• RIC had won the previous 14 matchups with Western Connecticut. WestConn last defeated the Anchorwomen, 89-84, on Jan. 18, 2018.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East play at home vs. Keene State on Saturday, Jan. 10 (1 p.m.).