The University of Rhode Island women’s basketball team lost both games this week against No. 23 Syracuse University on Friday and Marshall University on Wednesday.
In the first half of Friday’s game, the Rams struggled against Syracuse’s swarming zone. The Orange cut Rhode Island’s shot clock every possession and forced 17 first-half turnovers. However, Rhode Island found success in their halfcourt offense. Sophomore guard Charise Wilson scored 11 first half points on 3-for-7 shooting. Despite shooting 44 percent from the field as a team compared to Syracuse’s 32 percent, the Rams found themselves trailing by five.
Wilson dominated in the third quarter. She scored 15 points of Rhode Island’s 20 points in the 10-minute span, which included three 3-pointers. Syracuse didn’t have an answer for her in the quarter and Rhode Island took a five-point lead entering the fourth.
“She had confidence in shooting and played very well,†said head coach Daynia La-Force.
In the fourth quarter, Syracuse refused to let Wilson touched the ball. While four players in orange stayed in zone, one focussed on just Wilson, locking her up from the inbound pass through the whole possession. Wilson struggled getting open and the Rams needed someone else to step up and make a play. Once again, Rhode Island’s defense held Syracuse to just 32 percent from the field. However, the Rams struggled scoring with Wilson’s offensive absence.
“They didn’t allow her to get a lot of touches at the end of the game,†La-Force said. “We were alright with that. I thought we had four girls capable of scoring and making plays. We’re a very deep and talented team.â€
With 13 seconds remaining in the game and Rhode Island trailing by three points, senior guard Tayra Melendez forced a Syracuse turnover. After a Rhode Island timeout, Wilson was able to free herself for the inbound. However, she missed from beyond the arc with three defenders draped on her.
Wilson finished with 26 points, eight rebounds and four steals, despite not scoring in the fourth quarter. The next highest scorer for the Rams was senior forward Samantha Tabakman with six points. Melendez finished with a game-high 10 rebounds.
“They played extremely hard and I’m really proud of them,†said La-Force. “We had a great year last year. Now we just have to finish games. That’s what non-conference games are for.â€
On Wednesday night, Marshall jumped out to an early lead. At the end of the first quarter, Marshall led by 13. The Rams went on a 12-0 run in the second to cut their deficit to three points. At the end of the first half, Rhode Island was down six.
With eight minutes remaining, and URI down one, Marshall went on a 7-0 run and didn’t look back. Again, turnovers were the problem for the Rams as they committed 21 in the game. Tabakman and sophomore guard Dominique Ward led the team with 14 points each. Tabakman also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.