Rams Limp Into Holiday Break

New Hampshire 52, Rhode Island 33 – Final
Thomas M. Ryan Center – Kingston, R.I.

Rhody Starters:
Emilie Cloutier, Chari Lehnertz, Kerry Wallack, Ashley Rivera, Sherrie Session,

New Hampshire Starters:
Denise Beliveau, Sarah Frankenberger, Abagail La Rosa, Kelsey Hogan, Cari Reed

Rhody Leaders:
Points: Ashley Rivera (13)
Rebounds: Sherrie Session (7)
Assists: Kerry Wallack (2), Ashley Rivera (2), Teneka Whittaker (2)
Steals: Ashley Rivera (3)
Blocked Shots: Sherrie Session (1)
Minutes Played: Ashley Rivera (40)

New Hampshire Leaders:
Points: Denise Beliveau (15), Kelsey Hogan (15), Morgan Frame (15)
Rebounds: Morgan Frame (10)
Assists: Abagail LaRosa (3), Kelsey Hogan (3)
Steals: Sarah Frankenberger (2), Kelsey Hogan (2), Morgan Frame (2)
Blocked Shots: Kelsey Hogan (1), Morgan Frame (1)
Minutes Played: Denise Beliveau (37)

Inside the Box Score:

• With the loss, Rhode Island drops to 1-11. New Hampshire improves to 5-4. The 1-11 start marks Rhody’s slowest start to a season since the team went 1-11 over its first 12 games in 2006-07.
• New Hampshire connected on just 4-of-20 attempts over the first 20 minutes of play, marking its worst half in any game this season. Similarly, the Wildcats’ 20% showing from the floor was Rhody’s best defensive performance in any single half this year.
• After the break, Rhody pushed its lead to 10 (30-20) with 15:18 left to play, but UNH rallied back and closed out the game with a 32-3 run to post the 52-33 win. The 33 points were the Rams fewest in a game since the team dropped a 69-29 decision at No. 21 Xavier in 2008-09.
• UNH held a 45-28 rebounding advantage and outscored Rhode Island in the paint, 28-16.
• The Rams connected on just one of 13 attempts from long range. Rhody is now 3-of-21 from beyond the arc over its last three games, after ranking 13th in the nation with a 39.2 (38-97) three-point field goal percentage on Dec. 5.
• Ashley Rivera posted a team-high 13 points for the Rams. It marked just the second time this season that only one Rhody player reached double figures.
• The game featured three lead changes and two ties.
• Denise Beliveau, Kelsey Hogan and Morgan Frame led the Wildcats with 15 points apiece. Frame also pulled down 10 rebounds for the game’s only double-double.

What’s Next:
The Rams will have a 10-day break for the holidays before traveling to Bethlehem, Pa. to close out 2011 at the Christmas City Classic. There, the Rams will face host team Lehigh on Thursday (7:30 p.m.) and James Madison on Friday (5 p.m.). The last time Rhody competed at the Christmas City Classic (2007-08 season), the Rams were a perfect 2-0 with wins over Stony Brook (56-55) and Lehigh (50-47). Rhode Island is 1-0 in the all-time series vs. Lehigh and 1-4 against James Madison. Over her 24+ years as a head coach, Cathy Inglese has never faced Lehigh and is 1-0 against James Madison after posting a win at Vermont.