No. 10 Ranked Lady Knights Neutralize NAPS 60-38!
12.8.21
Ashley lima
Warwick, R.I. – December 8, 2021: The No. 10 ranked (NJCAA DIII Women’s Basketball Poll) traveled to the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) for a none-league game Tuesday evening. The Lady Knights defeated the Midshipmen Candidates 60-38. With the victory CCRI improves to 8-1 for the season.
This was a rematch of the CCRI NAPS game played at the Cullen Fieldhouse on November 20th in that contest the Lady Knights emerged victorious 68-52. CCRI was looking to repeat their success and extend their winning streak to four games in the process.
Both teams began the game very slowly on the offensive end of the court as defense took a front seat in the first quarter. Navy Prep took a slight lead at the end of the first quarter with the score 8-7 as the first half buzzer sounded.
In the second quarter the Lady Knights were able to get their offense going a bit as Sharpshooter Chloe Rayko (Coventry, RI sank two 3-pointers, co-captain Michelle Moreno (Providence, RI) added five points while Ashley Lima (Cape Verde) chipped in with four points in the quarter. CCRI scored 17 points in the quarter while holding NAPS to just six with suffocating defense. The Lady Knights took a 24-14 lead into the halftime break.
Both teams came out of halftime with renewed vigor and were determined to get their offenses performing at a higher level. CCRI was led by Elizabeth Bruno (Providence, RI) who poured in nine points in the frame and Ashley Lima who added eight points to the Lady Knights’ tally. NAPS countered with Rashiya Howell who scored nine points in the quarter. The Lady Knights outscored NAPS 26-15 in the third quarter to take a 50-29 lead into the fourth quarter.
With a comfortable 21 point lead going into the final quarter CCRI was content to play solid defense but sit back on their lead as they traded a few baskets and coasted to the 60-38 victory. Though their offense was not clicking the way it can the Lady Knights proved the old adage that “Defense Travels Well” (Keith Smart Golden State Coach 2010).
Leading the way for the Lady Knights was Elizabeth Bruno who scored a team-high 14 points including two 3-pointers with five steals, three assists and a blocked shot. Freshman forward Ashley Lima scored a career-high 12 points with seven rebounds, two blocked shots, two assists and a steal. Co-captain Michelle Moreno scored 11 points with seven assists and four steals. Chloe Rayko chipped in with nine points on 3-6 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc with two assist and three rebounds.
The next game for the No. 10 ranked Lady Knights will be Thursday when they will host the Pointers of the University of Connecticut at Avery Point at 5pm as part of a doubleheader with the men who will play at 7pm vs UCAP.
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The Community College of Rhode Island, New England’s largest comprehensive community college, enrolls nearly 10,000 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.