Babson Park, Mass.--Sophomore guard Madison Medbury (Scituate, R.I.) helped Rhode Island College defeat Babson, 60-47, in the Sectional Final of the 2023 NCAA Div. III Women's Basketball Championship on Saturday evening at Staake Gymnasium. The Anchorwomen advance to the National Semifinals, the Div. III Final Four, for the first time in program history.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 60, Babson 47
Rhode Island College (28-3)
Babson (25-6)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• It was an incredible defensive battle in the first quarter as the Anchorwomen held the Beavers to just two points over the first 10 minutes. However, the hosts kept RIC to just six points of its own in the opening stanza.
 
• Both teams heated up in the second quarter, which resulted in both squads scoring in the high teens and the game was tied, 21-21, at halftime.
 
• RIC came out on fire in the third quarter, scoring the first 10 points of the second half and taking a 31-21 lead at the 8:06 mark.
 
• Despite a push from Babson, RIC was able to hold the advantage and an 11-point, 41-32, lead after three frames.
 
• For the fourth straight game, it was a dominant fourth quarter that led RIC to victory. The Anchorwomen outpaced Babson, 19-15, in the quarter alone and punched their ticket to the NCAA Final Four.
 
• Medbury led the way with 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
 
• Senior forward Izabelle Booth (Newport, R.I.) registered a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
 
• Babson junior guard Kelly Walsh (Goffstown, N.H.) led the Beavers with 12 points on the evening.
 
• The win avenges an earlier loss to the Beavers for RIC, which fell, 62-34, at The Murray Center on Nov. 16. It is one of just three losses for the Anchorwomen on the season.


 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will face Christopher Newport in the NCAA Div. III National Semifinal at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. on Saturday, March 18.