Providence, RI 2/2/08 -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.
(Courtesy RIC Sports Information)
