#20 RIC Women’s Basketball Loses Season Opener

Senior forward Angelina Nardolillo (Hinsdale, N.H.) posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds as Rhode Island College fell, 62-55, in its home opener vs. Western New England University at the Murray Center on Wednesday night.

THE BASICS
Western New England 62, Rhode Island College 55
Western New England (2-0)
Rhode Island College (0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• RIC would see early success in the first quarter with a pair of steals from senior guard Madison Medbury (Scituate, R.I.) who also picked up five points in the frame.

• However, 12 turnovers by the Anchorwomen and a buzzer-beater from the Golden Bears put the Anchorwomen down by one, 28-27, at the end of the first half.

• Nardolillo and Medbury would each go into foul trouble and were forced to sit as the Golden Bears found momentum.

• A layup from Nardolillo in the third quarter put the Anchorwomen up three points, 38-35, which proved to be the host’s last lead of the night. A 7-0 run to end the third stanza by WNE gave the visitors a 42-38 advantage.

• After struggling from three-point range all game, the Golden Bears would sink their first triple in the fourth quarter to increase their lead to seven, 47-40.

• The Anchorwomen would make a run at a comeback as Medbury drained a triple with three minutes left, but the Golden Bears would see it through until the end to secure their second win of the season.

• Medbury finished with 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

• The setback was the first regular season home loss, since the Anchorwomen fell vs. Babson, 62-34, on Nov. 16, 2022.

WHAT’S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at Springfield on Tuesday, Nov. 19 (7 p.m.).