2008 Woodie Awards
Women's basketball falls to Duquesne University, 70-56
Kayla Panu
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Sports
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"It was a tough loss," head coach Tom Garrick said. "Duquesne was behind us in the standings and it was a game we thought we would be able to win. It's disappointing."
Before the game started, URI's six seniors were honored on the court with their families, including LaQuanda Brandon, Michonne Gamble-Rivers, Mia Marcus, Whitney Hollis, Erin Cournoyer and Safi Mojidi.
"All the seniors started the game," Garrick said. "It was nice for them."
Mojidi and junior Tanja Licina both scored 11 points, while junior guard Amanda McGrew finished with a team-best of 17 points. McGrew also had a career-high of five steals.
The Rams came within three points of Duquesne in the second half (52-49) with 7:34 left on the clock but could not continue the rampage. The Dukes went on a 10-2 run to keep the lead out of the Rams' reach.
URI started the game with the lead but Duquesne quickly took it away when Duquesne sophomore Keri Pryor scored a basket and a three-pointer consecutively, making the score 8-6 in favor of the Dukes.
The Rams kept up with the opposition, tying them at one point with 18 points, until the last few minutes of the half. Duquesne took the first half 38-27 with its speed and agility handling the ball.
The Dukes shot 54.2 percent while the Rams shot a 37.5 percent with only one three-point shot. By the second half, the Dukes went up to 54.8 percent while the Rams fell to 35 percent.
"Our strategy was to play hard, pressure them and force turnovers," Garrick said. "We did force turnovers, but not often enough."
The Rams had a force to contend with-the Duquesne ladies won their third straight game. The Dukes' senior guard Jocelyn Chandler scored a season-high of 18 points, while junior guard Kristi Little scored 15 points and freshman forward Samantha Pollino scored 14 points with nine rebounds.
The Rams, with a record of 12-15 (5-7 Atlantic 10), finishes out its regular season on Saturday at Saint Joseph's University.
"We want to play a tough game," Garrick said. "We need to defend, block out and try to contain the ball."
The Hawks have a record of 15-13 (7-6 Atlantic 10) and won their last game against La Salle University, 70-52.