They're Back: #5 RIC Women's Basketball Beat #4 Tufts 71-53
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They're Back: #5 RIC Women's Basketball Beat #4 Tufts 71-53
Junior guard Madison Medbury (Scituate, R.I.) scored 10 points to go along with eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals as No. 5 Rhode Island College defeated No. 4 Tufts, 71-53, at The Murray Center in both club’s season-opener on Friday night.
Last season ended when the Rhode Island College women’s basketball team lost 56-51 to Christopher Newport University in March in Hartford, Connecticut. In the semifinal game, RIC led much of the contest before losing the lead at the 6:45 mark in the fourth quarter.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRIC never regained the lead again. The dream season ended in the Final Four and the performance elevated the RIC women to the top tier of D-III basketball.
FRIDAY WIN OVER TUFTS - HOW IT HAPPENED
• Tufts controlled the play in a low-octane first quarter, leading the Anchorwomen by five, 15-10, after the first 10 minutes of play.
• An 11-0 run in the second quarter, which included a three-pointer by Medbury, propelled RIC to a 33-24 lead at halftime.
• After hitting a three-point jumper in the third quarter, fifth-year guard Olivia Middleton (Barrington, R.I.) was able to quickly steal the ball away and make a layup, while drawing a foul, to record six points in just 13 seconds.
• A 7-0 run early in the fourth quarter increased the Anchorwomen’s advantage to 22 points, 61-39, which effectively ended the game.
• Junior forward Angelina Nardolillo (Hinsdale, N.H.) recorded a team-high 15 points and a game-high four blocks to go along with five rebounds.
• Fifth-year guard Jeniyah Jones (Randolph, Mass.) finished with 11 points, three boards and a pair of steals. Middleton chipped in with 11 points, four assists and two steals.
WHAT’S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will face William Paterson in the semifinals of the Williams Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 18 (8 p.m.).