Women's basketball team falls short in season opener
Matt Swiss
Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: Sports
11/17/09 - The Cathy Inglese coaching era got off to a slow start last Saturday, as the University of Rhode Island women's basketball team fell to Fairfield University, 74-48, on what was a rainy and miserable afternoon.
After winning the opening tip, the Rams looked strong for the better part of the first half but were unfortunately shut down on all aspects of the game throughout the second period.
Inglese, who has compiled 393 wins over a 22-year coaching span, felt Rhody's carelessness with the ball was crucial and too much to overcome in the long run.
"I think our turnovers gave them some up-tempo opportunities," Inglese said. "On the defensive end I think we did a pretty good job in the first half because they are a good scoring team, but then they began to penetrate and we needed to keep them in front of us."
The Rams committed 25 turnovers, 14 of which came in the second half, when Rhode Island was outscored 42-23. Rhody did, however, control the boards, particularly in the first half when they held a 20-14 advantage on the glass.
"I liked the first half a lot," Inglese said. "I wasn't too worried because I felt like some of the adjustments we talked about at half time were going to be things that helped us. We just got ourselves in a hole [in the second half] and I think we just kind of collapsed."
After jumping out to an 8-4 lead, Fairfield answered with a quick 7-0 run, capped off by three pointer from senior forward Stephanie Geehan with just over 13 minutes remaining in the half. Geehan, who finished with 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks, is one of nine returning Stags from head coach Joe Frager's 2008-2009 squad.
Rhode Island bounced back with a 12-6 run of its own, jumping out to a 20-17 lead, a lead that would soon be diminished for good. After a three pointer from freshman guard Anisha Wilson gave Rhody a three point edge, Fairfield erupted for a 15-5 run, entering the break with a seven-point cushion at 32-25.
After winning the opening tip, the Rams looked strong for the better part of the first half but were unfortunately shut down on all aspects of the game throughout the second period.
Inglese, who has compiled 393 wins over a 22-year coaching span, felt Rhody's carelessness with the ball was crucial and too much to overcome in the long run.
"I think our turnovers gave them some up-tempo opportunities," Inglese said. "On the defensive end I think we did a pretty good job in the first half because they are a good scoring team, but then they began to penetrate and we needed to keep them in front of us."
The Rams committed 25 turnovers, 14 of which came in the second half, when Rhode Island was outscored 42-23. Rhody did, however, control the boards, particularly in the first half when they held a 20-14 advantage on the glass.
"I liked the first half a lot," Inglese said. "I wasn't too worried because I felt like some of the adjustments we talked about at half time were going to be things that helped us. We just got ourselves in a hole [in the second half] and I think we just kind of collapsed."
After jumping out to an 8-4 lead, Fairfield answered with a quick 7-0 run, capped off by three pointer from senior forward Stephanie Geehan with just over 13 minutes remaining in the half. Geehan, who finished with 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks, is one of nine returning Stags from head coach Joe Frager's 2008-2009 squad.
Rhode Island bounced back with a 12-6 run of its own, jumping out to a 20-17 lead, a lead that would soon be diminished for good. After a three pointer from freshman guard Anisha Wilson gave Rhody a three point edge, Fairfield erupted for a 15-5 run, entering the break with a seven-point cushion at 32-25.
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