Knights Battleground Week 23

Women’s Basketball:  

Last weekend was the Region XXI Tournament, hosted by CCRI in Warwick Rhode Island.  Entering the weekend, a total of 3 matches were to take place Saturday between the 1 and 4 seed, then the 2 and 3 seed, followed by the winner of each game playing in the championship game on Sunday.  

CCRI entered the tournament as the #1 overall seed in the Region with an overall record of 13-0. In their first matchup, they hosted Northern Essex, who earned the region's fourth and final seed with a 7-6 overall record. Rhode Island quickly jumped out to an early lead behind a historic shooting performance from Angelisse Melendez, who poured in 8 three-pointers, breaking the school record for all-time three-pointers made, with 158.  At halftime, the Lady Knights led 46-23. The second half saw Rhode Island keep their foot on the gas, as Northern Essex was unable to keep Stephanie Walker from grabbing 20 rebounds, 9 of them offensive, to go along with her 23 points. The final score was 94-52. The Knights advanced to the championship game Sunday against UConn Avery Point.  

The top seeded Knights looked to go 3-0 over UConn Avery Point this season, in a game to punch another ticket to this years National Tournament in Minnesota. Early on in the game, CCRI was able to set a pace and jump out to an early lead behind multiple smooth mid-range jumpers from Tatiana Pereira, who had a team high 27 points, as they jumped out to a 34-17 lead. Avery Point responded in the second half after some big threes and was able to cut the lead to as little as 5 in the third quarter. Stephanie Walker gave CCRI the final push they needed, grabbing a season high 27 rebounds and scoring 22 points, the biggest being an and-one layup after an offensive rebound to extend the lead back to double digits with just 2 minutes remaining. The Knights won 75-59 and claimed their 4th consecutive Region XXI Title, and a trip to Minnesota.  

The NJCAA Selection Show will take place on Wednesday where their seed and matchup will be determined out of 12 teams.