Providence, R.I.--Junior guard Abby Wager (Mansfield, Mass.) racked up 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks as Rhode Island College defeated Western Connecticut, 78-65, at The Murray Center on Wednesday evening.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 78, Western Connecticut 65
Rhode Island College (19-5, 13-2 LEC)
Western Connecticut (9-15, 4-11 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Despite a slow start in the opening 10 minutes by RIC, the Anchorwomen found a groove and held the lead, 20-18, heading into the second stanza.
 
• Both sides took turns on top during the second quarter, but a bucket by freshman forward Eva Monahan (Woodstock, Conn.) to end the half gave RIC a one-point, 31-30, advantage heading into halftime.
 
• Junior guard Meagan Schuermann (Cooperstown, N.Y.) and sophomore guard Shalyn Smith (Middletown, Conn.) combined for 12 points (six each) in the third frame to boost the hosts advantage to five, 50-45, with 10 minutes to play.
 
• RIC rattled off three straight buckets to start the final quarter, which forced the Wolves to call a timeout, but the Anchorwomen's momentum never waned as the hosts evened the season series with Western Connecticut and now head into the regular season finale riding a nine-game win streak.
 
• Schuermann finished with 17 points and five boards, while Smith posted 11 points and three assists.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will close out the regular season at Keene State on Saturday, Feb. 21 (1 p.m.).