Box Score PROVIDENCE, R.I. –The Eastern Connecticut State University women's basketball team surrendered sole possession of first place in the Little East Conference Saturday, missing 15 of 17 three-point field goals and shooting under 30 percent overall from the floor in a 57-51 loss to Rhode Island College at the Murray Center.
By winning seven straight LEC games after an opening conference loss, Eastern (14-5, 7-2 LEC) had moved a game up in the race for the regular-season title, but continues to play poorly on the floor of Rhode Island (5-12, 3-6 LEC). Just 1-5 at home entering play and a loser of eight of its previous nine overall, Rhode Island defeated Eastern at the Murray Center for the fifth straight time.
Western Connecticut, a 13-point winner at the University of Southern Maine Saturday, gains a share of the top spot with Eastern, with Southern Maine and Keene State College a game back.
Rhode Island led 10-2 in the opening minutes and survived the disqualification of top player Devin Hill – with three of its players, in all, being disqualified on fouls -- in the closing minute of the third quarter to snap the Warriors' overall seven-game winning streak.
The Warriors trailed by four entering the final ten minutes but finally pulled even before the Anchorwomen held Eastern scoreless from the floor and to just two free throws after senior forward Jill Ritrosky (Pittsfield, MA) tied the game for the final time with an inside bucket with 2:22 left. Eastern went 0-for-6 down the stretch.
Jenna Ayala, a 5-foot-11 inch junior playing in only her second game for the Anchorwmen, scored her team's final six points and came off the bench for a team-high14 points, four rebounds and three blocks in 24 minutes in the game.
Eastern, which had snapped a three-game losing streak to Rhode Island with a 63-54 win at Geissler Gym Dec. 12, got a game-high 20 points from Ritrosky before she fouled out in the final seconds. Ritrosky had her 41st career double-double by adding a game-high 11 rebounds. Junior guard Julia DePoi (Brookfield) matched Ritrosky with 11 rebounds and junior center Lexis Foster (Groton) came off the bench for 14 points and seven rebounds.
Eastern visits Connecticut College Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in its final non-conference contest of the year.
