Springfield, Mass.--Junior guard Meagan Schuermann (Cooperstown, N.Y.) scored 24 points and grabbed five rebounds as the Rhode Island College women's basketball team opened up the 2025-26 regular season with a 52-43 win vs. Western New England at the Anthony S. Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center on Monday evening.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 52, Western New England 43
Rhode Island College (1-0)
Western New England (1-1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Anchorwomen got out to an early lead as they capitalized on seven first-quarter turnovers from the hosts, which turned into nine points and put the visitors ahead, 13-7, heading into the next quarter.
 
• Schuermann's eight points in the second frame, along with a pair of threes from junior guard Abby Wager (Mansfield, Mass.), gave RIC a seven-point, 27-20, lead at halftime.
 
• The visitors' lead grew to 16, 42-26, with two minutes to play in the third quarter as RIC showed no signs of slowing down.
 
• The Golden Bears were able to cut their deficit down to single digits, 50-43, within the last minute in the final quarter, but it was the Anchorwomen who held on to open the season with a win.
 
• Wager posted 12 points, five boards and three steals to pace RIC.

• Freshman forward Eva Monahan (Woodstock, Conn.) grabbed a team-high nine rebounds to go along with four points.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host The College of New Jersey on Saturday, Nov. 15 (1 p.m.).