FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 13, 2007

UMass Boston Downs Anchorwomen, 80-76

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—The Rhode Island College women’s basketball team suffered a difficult setback this afternoon at The Murray Center, dropping an 80-76 decision to Little East Conference rival UMass Boston. The Anchorwomen fall to 9-5 and 1-4 in the conference circuit, while the Beacons’ raise their record to 7-6 and 3-2.

            Sophomore guard Tyla Martin (Cumberland, R.I.) scored a season-high 22 points, while senior forward Kari Geisler (Deerfield, N.H.) and junior forward Josalee Danieli (New Gloucester, Maine) each chipped in with 14 points. 

            Senior forward Denise Ridge (Milton, Mass.) paced four other teammates in double figures with 18 points. Classmate Lydia Coverdale (Malden, Mass.) was just one point of the team pace, while junior guard LaKeisha Tucker (Pawktucket, R.I.) and freshman guard Ashley Ryder (Clinton Corners, N.Y.) netted 15 and 13 points, respectively.

            The Beacons scored the first basket of the game, but Rhode Island College answered with the next six points to take the lead for the remainder of the stanza. Danieli registered 10 points in the first half on the strength of shooting five-for-nine from the field, while pulling in five rebounds. The Anchorwomen ballooned their largest advantage of 12 points before headed into the intermission leading 41-35.

            UMass Boston outscored its hosts 55-35 in the second stanza to register its third victory in its past four games.

            Rhode Island College returns to action at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 16, when the Anchorwomen host Western Connecticut State University.

Kari Geisler, along with her father and Rhode Island College President John Nazarian,
who presented her with the game ball from her 1,000th career point prior to the start
of the UMass Boston contest.