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Lady Knights Upended by UCAP 72-69

01.25.18

Warwick, R.I. – January 26, 2018: The CCRI Lady Knights basketball team hosted the Pointers from the University of Connecticut at Avery Point (UCAP) for a game Thursday evening for a Region XXI non-league game. CCRI lost to UCAP 72-69. With the loss the Lady Knights fall to 13-10 on the season and 5-1 in Region XXI play.

These two teams have a lot of history against each other and both teams always raise their levels of play when they face each other. This game had that "Big Game" feel with a packed Cullen Fieldhouse and both teams eager to prove they are the elite squad in Region XXI. Last year both teams split and this year the Lady Knights edged UCAP 83-75 in Groton, CT so the Pointers were looking to get their revenge on their regional rival.

UCAP stormed out of the gates to take a commanding 26-15 lead after one quarter of play. The Pointers are the leading scoring team in Division III averaging 86.1 points per game and the Lady Knights knew they would have to bring a better defensive intensity for the final three quarters if they wanted to secure a victory. In the second quarter CCRI began to stifle the high-powered Pointers' offense while sharpshooter D'Asia Allen (Providence, RI) caught fire from beyond the arc to sink three 3-pointers and a pair of free throws to account for 11 of the Lady Knights' 21 second quarter points. The Lady Knights went into halftime trailing UCAP 40-36.

In the third quarter the Lady Knights defense smothered the Pointers high powered attack and held them to just 10 points while pouring in 18 points which helped them take a 54-50 lead into the final quarter. CCRI C-Captain Kelsey Hernandez (New Britain, CT) led the way I the third scoring nine points while freshman Jada Littlejohn (Providence, RI) added five points to account for 15 of the 18 CCRI third quarter points.

Unfortunately for the Lady Knights the UCAP offense was able to get back on track in the fourth quarter as their leading scorer Tatyana LaFrance-Boyce began to impose her will upon CCRI scoring seven of the Pointers 22 fourth quarter points, all from the free throw line. In addition, UCAP was able to outrebound CCRI which led to many second chance opportunities for them while the Lady Knights had some unforced errors and turnovers which led to UCAP regaining the lead and securing the hard fought 72-69 victory.

Leading the way for the Lady Knights was D'Asia Allen with a team-high 18 points including four 3-pointers with four rebounds, three assists and two steals and Co-Captain Kelsey Hernandez scored 15 points with two 3-pointers, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals. Also playing well for CCRI was sophomore Nia Mims (Bethlehem, PA) who score 13 points with three 3-pointers, five rebounds and a blocked shot while Co-Captain Tiondra Hands (Boynton Beach, FL) added nine points and three assists. Tatyana LaFrance-Boyce of the Pointers led all scorers with her 11th double-double of the season with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

The next game for the Lady Knights will be Tuesday the 6th when they travel to Charlestown, MA to play the Bulldogs of Bunker Hill Community College at 5:30pm.

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The Community College of Rhode Island, New England's largest comprehensive community college, enrolls nearly 16,000 students in credit courses and thousands more in non-credit and job training classes. Its athletic program boasts 12 varsity programs and an academic support program for all student-athletes.