FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2008

Rhode Island College Women’s Basketball Score Report

Providence, RI

1

2

1OT

Final

Keene State (12-8, 4-5)

33

25

6

64

Rhode Island College (10-8, 4-5)

23

35

8

66

MARTIN & COUGHLIN WILL RIC TO WIN
LAST SECOND HEROICS LEAD ANCHORWOMEN PAST KEENE STATE, 66-64

            Providence, RI—Rhode Island College junior guard Tyla Martin (Cumberland, RI) drained a three-pointer with 30 seconds left in regulation to force overtime and nailed a putback and the ensuing foul shot with 1.1 seconds left in overtime to lead the Anchorwomen past Keene State, 66-64, in collegiate women’s basketball action Saturday afternoon at The Murray Center.

It was an important swing game for both clubs, as RIC improves to 10-8 overall and 4-5 in the Little East Conference, tying the Owls for fourth place in league action. Keene State drops to 12-8 overall and 4-5 in the LEC.

Rhode Island College took an early, 5-0, lead on a junior guard Michelle McNamee (Cranston, RI) three-pointer and a Martin jumper two minutes into the game. The Owls battled back to tie the game, 6-6, and took the lead, 8-6, on a sophomore forward Jen Cleaveland (Newington, CT) layup with 12:55 remaining in the half.

The Owls led for the rest of the half, taking a 33-23 lead into break, and for the entire second half until Martin’s trey equalized the contest, 58-58.

Keene State looked like it would hold on to win as sophomore Nicole Simmler (Oxford, MA) gave the Owls a 58-55 lead on a layup with 49 seconds left. After Martin nailed a three to knot the contest, Keene State had the ball with a chance to win in regulation. RIC senior guard Sarah Coughlin (North Attleboro, MA) stole a pass and raced the length of the floor, but her floater missed as time expired.

The Owls had an opportunity to ice the game at the end of overtime, as junior forward Jenn Kinney (Salem, NH) tied the game, 63-63, making the front end of two free throws. Kinney missed the second attempt, but sophomore guard Kristin Degou (Newburyport, MA) grabbed the rebound and was fouled. After making the first shot, RIC freshman forward Stephanie Noheimer (Willimantic, CT) corralled the rebound and fed Coughlin. She went the length of the court and drove for a layup that missed off the back of the rim and caromed to Martin, who made the shot and was fouled. After Martin made the free throw, the Owls desperation shot fell short and the Anchorwomen escaped with the victory.

Coughlin led RIC with 18 points, eight assists, six steals and four rebounds, notching her fourth straight game in double figures. Martin followed with 12 points and six rebounds, while senior forward Sherri Heard (Coventry, RI) collected a team-high 10 boards.

The Owls were led by junior guard Michelle Boudreau (Readsboro, VT), who scored 13 of her game-high 19 points in the first half. Simmler logged a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore guard Alyssa Sapp (Hartford, VT) chipped in with 12 points.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at Mitchell on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. KSC will host UMass Dartmouth on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 1 p.m.

Junior Tyla Martin

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