Collins provides highlights for Panthers

            PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Junior Devin Hill (Danielson, Conn.) scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds while freshman Jess Korzec (West Brookfield, MA) scored 17 and added four steals as the Rhode Island College women's basketball team rode a strong defensive effort to top LEC foe Plymouth State University, 70-28, at The Murray Center on Saturday afternoon.

            The Panthers (6-8, 0-5 LEC) opened a quick 8-2 when sophomore forward Kayla Wyland (Melrose, Mass.) converted a layup in the paint after just 2:44 of play. The Anchorwomen (3-11, 2-3 LEC) stormed back and a jumper by Korzec with 11:31 remaining put the Anchorwomen up six, 14-8. A Hill jumper later in the half gave the Anchorwomen an 11 point lead and stifling defense down the stretch enabled them to go into the break with a 30-17 lead.

            The second half was one of defensive intensity for the Anchorwomen who quickly pushed their lead to 26, 43-17, with 15:16 remaining in the half. RIC continued the defensive intensity with a pair of free throws from freshman forward Rybecca Gonzalez (Pawtucket, RI) putting the Anchorwomen up 33, 52-19, with 10:15 left in the stanza. The Anchorwomen continued their incredible defense, pushing their lead to as large as 44 points before finishing with a 70-28, 42-point victory.

            Hill scored her 16 points on 7-for-15 shooting from the field. Korzec tallied her 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting in just 25 minutes of action. The Anchorwomen shot 41.3 percent (26-for-63) from the field, 12.5 percent (1-for-8) from deep and 68.0 percent (17-for-25) from the charity stripe for the game.

            Senior forward Kelley Collins (Groveton, N.H.) tallied nine points and nine boards in the loss, while Wyland added eight points. The Panthers shot 25.0 percent from the floor (11-for-44) and 42.9 percent from the free throw line (6-for-14) while struggling from behind the arc, going 0-for-15 for the game.

            Both teams place again on Tuesday as PSU hosts the University of Southern Manie and the Anchormen host Western Connecticut State University. 

(Courtesy of Rhode Island College Sports Information) 

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