Knights Battleground Week 19

Women's Basketball:

The 15-4 Lady Knights had a three-game slate ahead of them last week, beginning with Bunker Hill on Thursday, January 30th, followed by Roxbury at home Saturday, February 1st, and finishing with a trip to visit the Central Maine Mustangs on Sunday February 2nd.  

Rhode Island was able to break out to an early lead at Bunker Hill behind a barrage of threes lead by Angelisse Melendez and Sydney Waitekus, who combined for 8 of Rhode Island’s 11 three pointers in the game. In addition to a 29-4 second quarter run, the Knights were up 55-16 and did not look back from there, winning the game 83-34. Stephanie Walker led the team in scoring with 20 points to go along with 9 rebounds, Jayanah Rollins added 17 points as the Knights lone reserve, and teammate Tatiana Pereira chipped in 14 in the Knights win.  

The Knights now headed home to face Roxbury in an afternoon game in Warwick, and with Roxbury missing their leading scorer, the Knights were able to exploit a dysfunctional Tigers offense and jump out to a 37-0 first quarter advantage. The Knights offense and defense stayed consistent, leading them to a 86-14 win. Tatiana Pereira led the Knights offense with an efficient 23 points on 11 of 13 shooting. Teammate Angelisse Melendez scored 16 while Jayanah Rollins scored 15 off the bench for Rhode Island in the win. The Knights improved to a season best 17-4 with the win.  

On the second day of a back to back, and a long haul up to Central Maine, the Lady Knights looked to avenge a loss to the Mustangs from earlier in the season, but were unable to strike much momentum, trailing by double digits after 1 quarter. Central Maine was eventually able to pull away for good in the third quarter behind a 36-15 scoring output, creating a lead which was too big for a shorthanded Knights team to come back from. Central Maine would win the game 109-79 and improves to 21-1 while Rhode Island falls to 17-5. Jayanah Rollins and Stephanie Walker both scored 21 points for CCRI.  

Next week the Lady Knights have a lighter schedule with just one game next Saturday, February 8th away at UConn Avery Point at 12 PM.  

Men’s Basketball:  

The Knights had two games on the schedule last week, first beginning with Bunker Hill on January 30th followed by a home game against Roxbury on February 1st.  

Rhode Island had previously lost to Bunker Hill by 13, and were looking to turn the outcome in their favor. Bunker Hill, however, had other plans. The Bulldogs were able to get easy looks at the basket and from behind the arc, a game in which really just got away from the Knights. Halftime would find them doubled up by Bunker Hill, 52-26. The second half was more of the same for Rhode Island as they could not spark an offensive run to get back into the game, and fell on the road 101-56.  

The Knights next game at home versus Roxbury was an important on in the Region XXI Standings, as with just 6 games to go and only so many playoff spots, Roxbury and Rhode Island find themselves both in a fight for the regions last few remaining seeds. The Knights started Freshman Reilly Bennett in Logan Voelker's absence with an ankle injury. Bennett proved to be effective for the Knights as the starting unit was able to build a lead going into halftime, up 33-27. A big second half from Connor Chambers lifted the Knights to a 71-55 victory. Chambers finished with 14 points and a team high 19 rebounds, devastating the Roxbury defense with offensive rebounds, put backs, and second chances for Rhode Island. The Knights are now 7-9 in conference play and 8-9 overall, good for 7th in the region, and just a game out of 5th.  

The Knights have a home game this Thursday February 6th at 6PM vs Quinsigamond, followed by an away game against UConn Avery Point at 2 PM