Spring Break
Cooper's offense not enough, URI women's basketball loses 55-48
Matt Swiss
Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: Sports
02/10/10 - The University of Rhode Island women's basketball team dropped its third straight game after falling to George Washington University Sunday 55-48. The loss marked the Colonials' 15th consecutive win over the lady Rams, and its seventh win in its last eight games.
Senior guard Sierra Cooper carried Rhode Island offensively throughout the first 15 minutes of play, scoring eight of her team's first 18 points. She went on to score 10 points in the first half, and added an additional 10 in the second half, finishing with a game-high 20 points. She also pulled down five boards while collecting two steals in 38 minutes of play.
"She was obviously our most effective player," head coach Tom Garrick said. "She used her speed and agility against very big post players to get her shots off."
GW ended the first half, which saw five lead changes and six ties, on a 7-4 run, entering the break with a two point advantage at 24-22. The run was sparked by a three-point jumper from senior guard Yolanda Lavender and the Colonials' were then given a lead they would not surrender on a fade-away jumper from senior forward Jessica Adair. Adair led the way with 15 points and 12 rebounds, recording her 15th career double-double.
"She's just bigger than we are," Garrick said. "She's very active and has a very good jump shot for somebody who's 6'3," but I thought we did a good job considering our personnel."
GW came out strong in the second half, however, and started things off with a 7-0 run to jump out to a 31-22 lead. Cooper led the way for the Rams in the second half as well, scoring her team's first eight points in the period, helping to cut the deficit down to five at 35-30 with 12:37 remaining.
Rhody answered an 8-2 run with a 7-1 run, highlighted by four points from senior guard Crystal Bellinger and a three-point jumper from freshman guard Sherrie Sessions. Bellinger finished with eight points, while grabbing four rebounds, dishing out three assists and collecting three steals. Sessions also added eight points and three boards.
After a run from each team, the Rams found themselves still trailing by five points at 44-39 with 6:36 remaining. Five was as close as Rhode Island would get, however, as Rhody held GW to just one field-goal during the final six minutes, but allowed the Colonials to convert on 12 of 14 from the free throw line during that span.
"I thought we played very well defensively all day," Garrick said. "I thought we did a good job on their key players and I thought we fought really well on the boards."
Rhode Island's defensive effort came up just short, and the Rams will look to regroup tonight when they hit the road to play St. Bonaventure University. Starting time is set for 7 p.m.
"We're just trying to get a win," Garrick said. "We have a tough matchup against St. Bonaventure on the road and that's a team that has turned things around. It's not going to be easy."
Senior guard Sierra Cooper carried Rhode Island offensively throughout the first 15 minutes of play, scoring eight of her team's first 18 points. She went on to score 10 points in the first half, and added an additional 10 in the second half, finishing with a game-high 20 points. She also pulled down five boards while collecting two steals in 38 minutes of play.
"She was obviously our most effective player," head coach Tom Garrick said. "She used her speed and agility against very big post players to get her shots off."
GW ended the first half, which saw five lead changes and six ties, on a 7-4 run, entering the break with a two point advantage at 24-22. The run was sparked by a three-point jumper from senior guard Yolanda Lavender and the Colonials' were then given a lead they would not surrender on a fade-away jumper from senior forward Jessica Adair. Adair led the way with 15 points and 12 rebounds, recording her 15th career double-double.
"She's just bigger than we are," Garrick said. "She's very active and has a very good jump shot for somebody who's 6'3," but I thought we did a good job considering our personnel."
GW came out strong in the second half, however, and started things off with a 7-0 run to jump out to a 31-22 lead. Cooper led the way for the Rams in the second half as well, scoring her team's first eight points in the period, helping to cut the deficit down to five at 35-30 with 12:37 remaining.
Rhody answered an 8-2 run with a 7-1 run, highlighted by four points from senior guard Crystal Bellinger and a three-point jumper from freshman guard Sherrie Sessions. Bellinger finished with eight points, while grabbing four rebounds, dishing out three assists and collecting three steals. Sessions also added eight points and three boards.
After a run from each team, the Rams found themselves still trailing by five points at 44-39 with 6:36 remaining. Five was as close as Rhode Island would get, however, as Rhody held GW to just one field-goal during the final six minutes, but allowed the Colonials to convert on 12 of 14 from the free throw line during that span.
"I thought we played very well defensively all day," Garrick said. "I thought we did a good job on their key players and I thought we fought really well on the boards."
Rhode Island's defensive effort came up just short, and the Rams will look to regroup tonight when they hit the road to play St. Bonaventure University. Starting time is set for 7 p.m.
"We're just trying to get a win," Garrick said. "We have a tough matchup against St. Bonaventure on the road and that's a team that has turned things around. It's not going to be easy."
