By Skye Tulio
Sports Editor
The women’s basketball team nabbed another win at home after defeating Rhode Island 48-28 Wednesday night. The Bonnies (9-10, 2-2) travel to Philadelphia tomorrow to take on St. Joe’s (12-5, 2-0) at 3 p.m.
Last season, the Bonnies claimed a 68-61 victory over the Hawks thanks in part to a career-high 20 points from then-sophomore forward Doris Ortega.
On Wednesday night, the women held URI (5-14, 0-4) to the fewest points allowed by the Bonnies in their Division I history. The team improved from last season, when it held the Rams to 32 points in a 58-32 victory.
The win served as the Bonnies second consecutive Atlantic 10 conference win after topping UMass, 61-49. The Bonnies outscored URI 22-6 in the paint and 11-3 off the bench.
The team trailed 9-6 at the first media timeout of the first half, shooting just 25 percent from the floor compared to the Rams 67 percent.
The Bonnies trailed the Rams until the last seven minutes when they tied the score at 13, They led 19-13 at the half with those 13 points being the fewest the Bonnies have given up in a first half so far this season.
An early three-pointer by freshman guard Emily Michael jumpstarted the SBU offense coming out of the half. The Bonnies led 26-15 until a 9-4 URI run cut the lead to 30-24.
Thanks to junior Ortega and senior guard Alaina Walker, the Bonnies pushed the lead back to 13, 37-22. Freshman forward Katie Healy hit a jumper to break a short scoring drought, putting the Bonnies up 15.
The Rams would score six more points, but it was not enough to close the gap.
Coach Jim Crowley said he was proud of the defense and the way the Bonnies have evolved thus far this season.
“I think our kids are really starting to get what we’re about,” Crowley said. “Play some defense, take care of the ball and while the shots aren’t falling right now, they’re good shots and they’re going to fall. There are just some new people taking them.”
Junior CeCe Dixon did not play for internal reasons and Ortega scored six points and eight rebounds in her first game coming off the bench. Healy recorded a 14 points and seven rebounds.
Crowley noted the importance of certain younger players coming in for Dixon.
“I thought people stepped up, played well and they’re going to play better,” Crowley said. “Emily’s (Michael) been playing pretty well lately and she’s not going to go one for six on the three point line again but her defense was stellar.”
Yet Crowley stressed there is no substitute for experience.
“Once Nyla (Rueter) understands to be aggressive and to get to the rim some more–she’s a good shooter too and it was great to see Katie deliver as well,” Crowley said. “It’s just staying consistent with things, getting better each day.”
The Bonnies rebound performance was the best it’s been in about half dozen or more games, according to Crowley. The women grabbed 15 total rebounds in the first half and 35 total.
Walker recorded 16 points and nine rebounds in the game. The Pomona, N.Y. native said she did her best to improve at the foul line against the Rams.
“I know I struggled down at Richmond and I didn’t shoot well from the foul line,” Walker said. “Immediately after that, the next day, I knew I had to get back in the gym and increase my percentage.
Crowley said Walker’s extra gym time has helped her shine recently on the court.
“Alaina works her butt off,” Crowley said. “Whoever she’s guarding is not going to get baskets and the terrific thing is we’re getting defensive rebounds from a guard. What you’re seeing now is how hard she’s worked in the gym.”
The Bonnies return to the Reilly Center Jan.30 against Charlotte. Crowley believes the Bonnies will be tough to beat if they play defense
“Anytime you score 48 and still win by 20, you’re playing some pretty wicked defense,” Crowley said.
