Hartford, Conn.--Senior forward Izabelle Booth (Newport, R.I.) scored 13 points as Rhode Island College was defeated by No. 1 Christopher Newport, 56-51, in the NCAA Div. III Women's Basketball Championship National Semifinal, played at Trinity's Oosting Gymnasium on Saturday evening.
 
THE BASICS
No. 1 Christopher Newport 56, Rhode Island College 51
Christopher Newport (31-0)
Rhode Island College (28-4)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Anchorwomen were able to score the first eight points of the ballgame, highlighted by multiple scores from senior guard Jeniyah Jones (Randolph, Mass.).
 
• The No. 1 team in the country did not back down, as the Captains were able to outscore the Anchorwomen, 13-3, over the final five minutes of the quarter, to go up by two, 13-11.
 
• To start the second quarter, it was sophomore forward Angelina Nardolillo (Hinsdale, N.H.) who shook off the ice for the RIC offense, helping the Anchorwomen secure the lead by herself with a three-pointer and a layup. RIC led, 16-15, at the 4:55 mark.
 
• The Anchorwomen defense clamped up, holding the Captains to just seven points in the second quarter. The frame was capped by a huge buzzer-beating three-point shot by senior guard Antonia Corsinetti (Johnston, R.I.) to send the Anchorwomen into the half up, 28-20.
 
• RIC and CNU traded blows in the third quarter, resulting in a five point, 43-38, lead for RIC.
 
• The Captains came out in the fourth and scored the first eight points of the stanza to take the lead, 46-43. Christopher Newport held the Anchorwomen scoreless through the first five minutes of the quarter.
 
• Christopher Newport was up by six with just over a minute left to play. Booth hit a three-pointer and Nardolillo converted a three-point-play to cut the Captain's lead down to just one, 52-51, with 20 seconds left.
 
• CNU was able to sink five of their last six free throws to advance to the NCAA Div. III Women's Basketball Championship Final, which will be played in Dallas on April 1.
 
• Nardolillo led the way with 13 points and hauled down seven rebounds. Booth had 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds.


 
• For CNU, graduate guard Sondra Fan (Poquoson, Va.) racked up a game-high 18 points, with most of them coming in a huge second half for the Captains. Junior guard Gabbi San Diego (Lorton, Va.) contributed 13 points.
 
• The Anchorwomen held the Captains to 56 points, the lowest offensive output an opponent has held the No. 1 team in the nation all season.


 
A SEASON TO REMEMBER
•  2022-23 is the finest season for the women's basketball program in RIC's rich history.
 
• RIC has established a new record for wins in a season (28), won its third straight LEC Regular Season and Tournament championship and advanced to the Final Four for the first time ever.
 
• En route to the Final Four, the Anchorwomen defeated three straight top 15 teams, including previously undefeated No. 3 Scranton on their home court.
 
• RIC Head Women's Basketball Coach Jenna Cosgrove said after the game: "Everyone loves an underdog story, but these guys are resilient and the hardest-working group I've been around. I am extremely proud of everyone on this team."