Jan. 19, 2011

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KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island women's basketball team (6-12; 0-4 Atlantic 10) dropped a 64-50 decision to Charlotte (15-4; 3-1 Atlantic 10) Wednesday evening at the Ryan Center.

Senior guard Megan Shoniker and sophomore guard Ajanae Boone combined for 27 points, but it was not enough (Shoniker - 17 points; Boone - 10 points). Boone's 10-point effort of the bench was a career-high.

Rhody jumped out to a 7-4 lead at the 16:34 mark thanks to a jumper by senior forward Caitlin Kearns. Charlotte responded with an 8-0 run over the next 2:49 to 12-7 lead.

Junior Lara Gaspar scored a layup to bring the Rams back within three (12-9) with 13:45 to go in the first half. Charlotte went on to extend its lead to 10 thanks to a 13-6 spurt to give the 49ers a 25-15 lead with five minutes remaining until the break.

In the final five minutes, Rhody trimmed Charlotte's lead to five following a 3-pointer's by Shoniker and Boone, outscoring the 49ers 6-1 in a 45 second span and trailed 26-21 with 4:15 till halftime. Charlotte outscored URI 7-4 to close out the half and took a 33-25 lead into the locker room.

Shoniker and Boone netted eight points apiece to lead the Rams. As a team, Rhody outshot Charlotte in the first half, 50.0-29.0 percent, but was outrebounded 20-14.

In the second half, Rhody cut Charlotte's lead to five at the 16:27 mark, outscoring the 49ers 6-4. The 49ers pushed their lead back to double digits at the 12:31 mark (45-35) as they opened up a 10-point lead.

The Rams would not go away quietly as they cut Charlotte's lead to six with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game, but URI would get no closer as the 49ers went on a 10-2 run over the next five minutes to open up a 59-45 advantage with 4:19 to play.

Charlotte held a double-digit lead in the final four minutes to secure the win.

The Rams return to action on Saturday as they head to St. Bonaventure. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.