Nov. 16, 2007

Final Stats

Kingston, R.I. - Junior center Tanja Licina exploded for 14 second half points helping Rhode Island (2-1) to a 63-54 victory over the Siena (0-3) women's basketball team this evening in Kingston, R.I. Senior co-captain Melissa Manzer led all scorers with 18 points, including five 3-pointers in the losing effort. The Rams bench outscored Siena's reserves 43-5 in the contest.

Both teams were hindered by poor shooting and turnovers during the first half. Rhode Island jumped out to an early 6-0 advantage, but the Saints countered with seven straight points to gain a 7-6 lead by the 14:55 mark.

Siena went on a field goal drought knocking down just one basket over a 9:35 stretch midway through the half. During this time, Rhode Island gained a 17-12 advantage.

Manzer cured the drought with a 3-pointer in front of the Saints bench to spark a small Siena surge before the half. The Saints entered intermission facing a 27-23 deficit, its smallest halftime debt of the season.

The Saints went 7-for-20 from the field in the first half, while the Rams were 12-for-30. Both teams combined for 21 turnovers over the first 20 minutes.

The squads exchanged baskets early in the second half. At the 9:35 mark, Manzer gave Siena its first second half lead of the season when she connected on a three point play. She got a step on her defender and knocked down a runner in the lane with the foul.

Siena's advantage wouldn't last long as the Rams regained the lead soon after when Safi Mojidi buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key. With the basket, Rhode Island went up 44-42 with 7:24 remaining. Mojidi finished with 13 points.

The Saints refused to go away and at the 3:55 mark Sarah Fullmer sank a jumper from the free-throw line to get Siena within a point. She posted 10 points and six rebounds over 31 minutes of action.

This would be the closest the Saints would get as the Rams responded with a 3-pointer to go up four with just minutes remaining. Mojidi followed with back-to-back jumpers giving Rhode Island a 57-50 lead and putting the game out of reach.

Senior forward Laura Menty went for 14 points and six rebounds on the night. Fellow co-captain Liga Alpe-Luka swiped a game-high four steals.

Manzer was 5-for-10 from beyond the arc. It marked her third consecutive game with four 3-pointers.

With the loss, Siena drops its third straight falling to 0-3 on the season. The Saints return to action on Monday evening at Long Island. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. in Brooklyn.