UPDATED: RIC Beats the University of Chicago — Heads to Elite 8 to Play Babson
Saturday, March 11, 2023
The Rhode Island College women’s basketball team defeated #10 University of Chicago, 64-56, in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Div. III Women’s Basketball Championship played at Babson’s Staake Gymnasium on Friday evening. RIC will battle Babson in the Elite 8 game on Saturday for a trip to the Final Four.
RIC nearly gave up all of a 17-point lead in the third quarter and overcame poor free-throw shooting but played superior defense to secure the victory.
• The Anchorwomen came out of the gates hot, building a seven-point, 20-13, the advantage over Chicago. Sophomore forward Jayda Bing hit two big three-point field goals off of the bench.
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• The lead expanded to double digits in the second quarter as the Anchorwomen headed into halftime with a 12-point, 32-20 advantage. Sophomore forward Angelina Nardolillo ended the first half leading all scorers with 10 points.
• The Maroons did not go away as the No. 10 team in the nation stormed back to cut the RIC lead down to just two points, 49-47, after the third quarter. UC senior guard Grace Hynes led the way with eight points in the quarter alone.
• The Anchorwomen started the final frame by hitting three straight three-pointers to give RIC an 11-point, 58-47, lead with 4:39 left in the game.
• The lead was too big for the Maroons overcome as Booth was able to ice the game with multiple free throws down the stretch to advance the Anchorwomen to their first Elite 8 appearance in program history.
• RIC's Nardolillo finished with a team-leading 17 points.
• Senior guard Jeniyah Jones and Booth each had 15 points in the victory, with Booth registering three blocks and Jones swiping four steals.
• Hynes led all scorers with 21 points to go along with 11 rebounds.
NEXT
Rhode Island College will battle host Babson in the Sectional Final of the 2023 NCAA Div. III Women's Basketball Championship at Staake Gymnasium on Saturday, March 11 (7:30 p.m.).
The winner of the game advances to the Final Four of the Div. III Tournament.
RIC is currently 27-3, advancing the farthest into the NCAA Championship in program history and establishing a new RIC record for wins in a season.
Babson is currently 26-5 and is one of only three team to hand the Anchorwomen a loss on the season. Babson defeated RIC, 62-34, at The Murray Center on Nov. 16, 2022, in the club's third game of the season.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students, senior citizens and children over the age of two. They will be available at the door (no advance sales) and can be purchased with either cash or a credit card.