December 5, 2006

Storti Lifts Anchorwomen Past Wildcats, 65-59

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—First-year guard Kirstyn Storti (Exeter, R.I.) scored a season-high 17 points to lift Rhode Island College past Johnson & Wales this evening in women’s basketball at the Harborside Recreation and Athletic Center. The Anchorwomen raised their overall record to 5-2, while the Wildcats fell to 2-3.

            Storti put on a shooting clinic from the floor, knocking down six-of seven attempts, including an impressive five-of-six from behind the three-point arc. She also handed out a pair of assists and pulled in a rebound. Junior forward Josalee Danieli (New Gloucester, Maine) and sophomore guard Tyla Martin (Cumberland, R.I.) also reached double digits for Rhode Island College. Danieli registered 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Martin recorded 16 points and four rebounds as the Anchorwomen have defeated the Wildcats the past four meetings.

             Rhode Island College gained its first advantage at 18-17 with just 4:43 remaining in the half, when Martin converted a pair of free throws to cap a 13-3 run. Danieli keyed the surge with six points, on three-of-three from the field, two steals, and an offensive rebound. The Anchorwomen carried the momentum into the intermission, leading 27-23.

            A nip-and-tuck affair, the lead changed hands 13 times in the second half. Rhode Island College took its final advantage with 7:41 remaining in regulation when Storti drained her fourth trifecta of the half, putting the Anchorwomen ahead 50-48. The Wildcats would not go quietly, as they cut the visitors lead to just one with 70 seconds on the clock. A three-pointer by Martin and a free throw apiece from junior guard Sarah Coughlin (North Attleboro, Mass.) and senior forward Kari Geisler (Deerfield, N.H.) sealed the victory.      

            Rhode Island College returns to the hardwood at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, when the Anchorwomen travel to Connecticut College for non-conference action.