SAINTS SURGE PAST RIC, 72-56

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Emmanuel College Women's Basketball Team rallied in the second half to overtake Rhode Island College, 72-56, in non-conference action played in RIC's Murray Center on Thursday night.  With the win, the Saints even their record to 2-2, while RIC is still seeking its first win, falling to 0-3 on the season. Emmanuel has now won all five of the Saints' last meetings with the Anchorwomen, including the NCAA Regional Final back in 2012.

Tonight's contest was knotted at 30-all at the break, before the Saints poured in 42 second-half points to pull away with the sixteen-point win.  Emmanuel put together a late 20-5 run to close out the game, taking advantage of a combined 18 points from Sarah Higgins (Groveland, Mass.) and Alexis Ezell (Acworth, Ga.) during the stretch.

Ezell would finish with a game-high 15 points, coming in just 14 minutes of work, as the sophomore forward knocked down 6-8 from the floor and hit all three of her tries from the line.  Rookie guard Karlee Alves (Ellington, Conn.) turned in a solid stat line with her collegiate highs of 13 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals. Senior Jennifer Bujnowski (Salem, N.H.) and Higgins each chipped in with 11 points apiece and combined for 10 boards in the win.  Senior captain Vanessa Bramante (Stoneham, Mass.) finished with 8 points and 8 rebounds, while junior point guard Devin Rauh (Collegeville, Pa.) dished out 7 assists for the Saints.

EC buried 5-10 from behind the arc, including 2 for 3 long-range shooting from Higgins. The Saints, who out-rebounded the Anchorwomen, 41-33, earned 13 second-chance points and netted 34 points in the paint on the night.

RIC got a team-high 13 points from Michelle Lagrotteria and 10 points and a team-high 5 rebounds from Meghan Reall

Emmanuel is back in action this Saturday, November 22nd, when the Saints travel to Beverly, Mass. for a 1:00 PM tip with Endicott College.