URI women's basketball suffers eighth straight loss against Dayton University

02/27/09 - The University of Rhode Island women's basketball team dropped its eighth straight contest last night to Dayton University, 46-36. The game marked the final home game for six Rhody seniors, as Crystal Bellinger, Sierra Cooper, Ebony Evans, Tanja Licina, Amanda McGrew and Aija Veiksane were all honored in a pregame ceremony.

Rhode Island's 36 points was the lowest the Rams scored in a game since they were held to just 29 against No. 13 Xavier University.

"You're not going to win too many games if you can only put up 36 points and shoot 21 percent from the field," head coach Tom Garrick said. "We had a lot of open shots and they just didn't go. That's been a trend for us, a disturbing one, but it's one that you'd like to think you can work your way out of."

Despite its poor shooting effort, the Rams became only the third team all year to hold the Flyers to 46 points or fewer and held four of Dayton's five starters below their season average for points per game.

"I just think our kids were in tune," Garrick said. "Our zone defense stifled them a little bit and we marked their shooters pretty well. It's just tough when you're fighting and struggling on defense and you're doing a good job, but when a two point lead goes to five, goes to seven, and you know you're struggling offensively, you start to get a little tighter."

After winning the opening tip, Dayton missed its first six attempts, the sixth of which resulted in a huge block from Evans. Moments after the rejection, Dayton's freshman center Casey Nance took it strong to Evans, scoring while being fouled in the act of shooting. Nance hit the free-throw and sparked a 7-0 run to open the game for the Flyers.

The Rams answered quickly, outscoring Dayton 7-1 during the next four minutes of play to cut the deficit to one, 8-7.

The run was capped off by a jumper from the right baseline from junior guard Lindsay Harris. Rhody was held to just four points during the final 11 minutes of the first half, while allowing 16 points in that span, and entered the break trailing 24-11.

"We're trying to get the kids better shots and better looks," Garrick said. "We're getting the ball on the block very consistently. We're just not finishing so we need to do some work in these last couple of games."

The Rams came out of the break with a strong defensive effort, much like they did in the first half, holding Dayton scoreless for the first 5:02 of play. Rhode Island, however, was only able to convert two points during that span, on a turn-around hook shot from senior forward Licina, and trailed 26-13 with 14:48 remaining.

"Dayton's a pretty good team, and we held them to 46 points," Garrick said. "You'd like to hope that that's enough to be in the game. If you're not playing defense, there's not too many things you can do about that, but if you're just shooting the ball poorly then you have to get into the gym a little more."

After a free-throw from Dayton's senior forward Ashley Brown gave her squad a 31-17 advantage, Rhode Island showed a little life, going on a 9-3 run during the next four minutes of play to cut the deficit down to eight at 34-26. The run was sparked and then capped off by a pair of clutch free-throws from Bellinger.

"[Crystal] doesn't make excuses," Garrick said. "And that's what's so commendable about her. Her knee is shot and she's playing at maybe 40 percent physically. She never complains, she comes to work every day, and she does her therapy. We need her to be on the floor but she wasn't able to explode past people."

A three-point rainbow from sophomore guard Megan Shoniker cut the lead to six at 36-30, but the Rams were unable to get any closer than that as they were outscored 10-6 during the final four minutes of play.

Licina, Shoniker and Cooper led the way for Rhody, scoring eight points apiece, while the Flyers were led by freshman guard Kayla Moses' 10 point performance.

The Rams are looking to end their season on a high note when they travel to Pittsburgh, Penn. Sunday for a showdown against Duquesne University. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.