Dec. 5, 2009

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KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island women's basketball team outscored Providence 35-29 in the second half, but it was not enough as the Rams fell 71-62 to the Friars Saturday afternoon at the Ryan Center.

Freshman guard Ashley Rivera led all Rhody scorers with 15 points as she connected on four 3-pointers. Eight of her points came in the second half.

Senior forward Andrea Buck and junior guard Megan Shoniker also posted double figures is scoring as they finished with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Buck's 14 points were a career-high, while her seven rebounds were a team-high.

Rhody outshot Providence 42.9-35.1 percent.

No team led by more than six points in the first 10 minutes in the opening half.

URI jumped out to a 10-9 lead in the first four and a half minutes, but PC fought back to take a 23-18 advantage with 9:57 to go in the first half. Three and a half minutes later, PC opened up a 13-point lead and would take a 42-27 lead into the locker room.

Despite its first half deficit, Rhody outshot the Friars by a 53.3-40.6 percentage over the first 20 minutes of play.

Buck and Shoniker combined for 14 first half points. Buck scored five points in the first five minutes, connecting on 3-pointer and a layup. Shoniker went 2-of-4 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line.

In the second half, PC opened up 17 point lead with 8:15 remaining in the game and appeared to be in complete control, but Rhody fought back as it reeled off a 7-0 run capped by a 3-pointer by Shoniker, which cut the PC lead to 10 at 59-49 with six minutes remaining in the game.

The Friars responded by pushing their lead to 16 points (67-51) with 3:36 to go, but Rhody would not go away as it went on a 9-1 run and trailed 68-60 with 1:07 to go. In the final minute Rhody was held to just one basket.

Rhody returns to action on Wednesday as it welcomes Brown. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.