Jan. 2, 2008

Box Score

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Freshman Megan Shoniker tallied a game-high 18 points, including five three-pointers, as the Rhode Island women's basketball team fell to Canisius, 70-63, Wednesday night in Buffalo, N.Y. With the loss, the Rams drop to 7-7 this season while the Golden Griffins improve to 6-7.

Senior Safi Mojidi (Silver Spring, Md.) put the Rams up early with back-to-back baskets before Canisius went on a 17-6 run to take a seven-point lead (17-10) with 7:38 left in the half. The Rams clawed their way back and junior Amanda McGrew (Santa Monica, Calif.) tallied all 11 of her first-half points as the clock ticked down before Rochester-native freshman Megan Shoniker sank a three in front dozens of supporters from her hometown to knot the score at 28-28 with 24 seconds left in the half. The Golden Griffins turned the ball over on the ensuing possession and senior LaQuanda Brandon (Washington, D.C.) scored to send the Rams into the break up 30-28.

Canisius opened the second frame with a 10-0 run and held the Rams scoreless over the first seven minutes until senior Mia Marcus (New York, N.Y.) hit a three to make the score 38-33 with 13:13 left on the clock.

Shoniker then continued her hot shooting, connecting on four-straight shots from beyond the arc to put the Rams on top, 47-44, with 7:24 to go.

The Golden Griffins took over the lead (50-48) on a three by Brittane Russell before Rhode Island tied the score twice more (54-54 and 56-56). That was as close as the Rams would get though, as Canisius outscored URI, 8-2, down the stretch, holding on for the 70-63 victory.

Shoniker (18) and McGrew (16) led the Rams in scoring while junior Sierra Cooper (Blairs, Va.) recorded a game-high 12 rebounds.

Rhode Island is back in action at Virginia on Wednesday, Jan. 9.