Spring Break
Women's basketball picks up win against LaSalle
Matt Swiss
Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: Sports
01/29/09 - The University of Rhode Island women's basketball team improved to 9-11 overall and 2-3 in the conference after defeating LaSalle University Tuesday night in Philadelphia.
The win improved the Rams' road record to 5-4.
"It's always been my experience that once you get on the road, your focus is a little bit stronger," head coach Tom Garrick said. "There's nothing out there but you and the game, whereas at home there are a lot of different elements, like school and social life that are right there in front of you."
Rhody's senior guard Sierra Cooper led the way for the Rams, as she recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
"She's doing exactly what we've expected of her," Garrick said. "She's been our most consistent player and she's given us everything she can. Without her leadership, we don't stand a chance in that game."
Cooper was one of three Rams to score in double figures as junior guard Lindsay Harris recorded a career-high 14 points while grabbing six rebounds. Senior guard Crystal Bellinger contributed 10 points while dishing out a career-high eight assists.
"On our team, there's no individual who can consistently score 20 points," Garrick said. "It's always important to have a balanced effort and it's always important to have a number of options to go to."
After ending the first half on a 12-8 run and entering into the break with a two-point lead, the Explorers took off right where they left off, jumping out to a nine-point lead within the first five minutes of the second period. URI stormed back with a crucial 13-1 run to jump ahead to a narrow three-point lead, 36-33.
"We just upped the tempo a little bit," Garrick said. "We started to make it more of a full court game rather than a half court game and it came at a pretty good time."
Rhode Island committed a season-low 13 turnovers but rebounded better than the Explorers, 38-31. Of the 38 total rebounds, the Rams grabbed a season-best 18 offensive boards.
"The most important part of wing basketball is defense, rebounding, and limiting turnovers," Garrick said. "I think we had a pretty good advantage on the backboards for the whole game and I think we had some great defensive stops."
The Rams will look to win their second consecutive home game for the first time all season when they host conference rival Saint Joseph's University this Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
The win improved the Rams' road record to 5-4.
"It's always been my experience that once you get on the road, your focus is a little bit stronger," head coach Tom Garrick said. "There's nothing out there but you and the game, whereas at home there are a lot of different elements, like school and social life that are right there in front of you."
Rhody's senior guard Sierra Cooper led the way for the Rams, as she recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
"She's doing exactly what we've expected of her," Garrick said. "She's been our most consistent player and she's given us everything she can. Without her leadership, we don't stand a chance in that game."
Cooper was one of three Rams to score in double figures as junior guard Lindsay Harris recorded a career-high 14 points while grabbing six rebounds. Senior guard Crystal Bellinger contributed 10 points while dishing out a career-high eight assists.
"On our team, there's no individual who can consistently score 20 points," Garrick said. "It's always important to have a balanced effort and it's always important to have a number of options to go to."
After ending the first half on a 12-8 run and entering into the break with a two-point lead, the Explorers took off right where they left off, jumping out to a nine-point lead within the first five minutes of the second period. URI stormed back with a crucial 13-1 run to jump ahead to a narrow three-point lead, 36-33.
"We just upped the tempo a little bit," Garrick said. "We started to make it more of a full court game rather than a half court game and it came at a pretty good time."
Rhode Island committed a season-low 13 turnovers but rebounded better than the Explorers, 38-31. Of the 38 total rebounds, the Rams grabbed a season-best 18 offensive boards.
"The most important part of wing basketball is defense, rebounding, and limiting turnovers," Garrick said. "I think we had a pretty good advantage on the backboards for the whole game and I think we had some great defensive stops."
The Rams will look to win their second consecutive home game for the first time all season when they host conference rival Saint Joseph's University this Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
