Box Score PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Behind a career-high 37 points and 20 rebounds from junior Megan Ronaghan (North Attleboro, Mass.), the UMass Dartmouth women's basketball squad cruised to their second-straight win on Wednesday, soundly defeating host Rhode Island College 81-50.
The junior registered on 16-of-27 from the field, posting the second-highest single-game scoring mark in program history. Her previous career-high was set last season, as she dropped 33 points on Salve Regina on Nov. 25, 2014.
Ronaghan's 20 boards also marks a career-best, as UMass Dartmouth (11-5, 2-4 Little East Conference) turned in a dominating performance on the boards, out-rebounding RIC 57-31 on the night.
The visitors also achieved a season-high shooting performance as a team, going 32-of-69 for 47 percent from the field. Senior Beth Castantini (Newburyport, Mass.) added another double-double, scoring 12 points with 10 rebounds, while sophomore Alicia Kutil (Franklin, Mass.) posted 11 points and nine boards.
RIC freshman Molly Phillips (Cranston, R.I.) connected on the first bucket of the game, but two free throws from Castantini followed by a Chelsea Houlihan (Wolcott, Conn.) jumper gave UMass Dartmouth a lead they would not relinquish.
The Anchorwomen kept within spitting distance throughout the remainder of the first quarter, trading baskets with the Corsairs and diminishing an eight-point lead in the final four minutes to trail 19-18 at the first breather.
The Corsairs opened the second quarter with an 8-0 run featuring six points from Ronaghan. Using a buzzer-beating layup from sophomore Amber DeCristofaro (Smithfield, R.I.), Rhode Island College was able to lower the deficit to only five at half.
UMass Dartmouth turned up the offensive production to a whole new level in the second half. The Corsairs began their 19-of-33 (57 percent) performance over the final two quarters with five straight points, including a 3-pointer from Colleen Kane (Arlington, Mass.) and immediate Kutil layup. The visitors then jumped out to a 15-point lead over the next three minutes, pounding the ball to Ronaghan in the paint to total 26 points in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter put the rubber stamp on the night, as the Corsairs outscored RIC 23-8, starting the period with a 10-2 run in the midst of scoring 14 points in the paint over the final 10 minutes.
Rhode Island College was paced by senior Devin Hill's (Danielson, Conn.) 14 points, while junior Alex Moore (West Newbury, Mass.) added 12 points.
UMass Dartmouth will seek a season-split on Saturday, as they host 15-1 Keene State this weekend and look to avenge an 86-71 loss on Dec. 5.
