Eight-Point Run Sends Women's Basketball to Win over Rhode Island

Box Score

An eight-point run by the Canisius College women's basketball team in the last three minutes proved to be the difference as the Golden Griffins defeated Rhode Island 70-63 on Wednesday evening at the Koessler Athletic Center.

Junior Amanda Cavo led Canisius (6-7) with 17 points and a career-high 10 rebounds for the first double-double of her career. Sophomore Brittan? Russell had 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Senior Laura Buetow had 10 points and seven rebounds while Mere Mullins had seven points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench. Sophomore Brianna Lucas had a career-high six assists to go along with zero turnovers.

With Rhode Island (7-7) leading 30-28 at the half, the Golden Griffins opened with an 8-0 run, holding the Rams scoreless for the first 6:45 of the half. The Griffs held a 40-35 lead with 11 minutes remaining when Rochester, N.Y. native Megan Shoniker made four consecutive 3-pointers during a stretch of 3:05 to give the Rams a 47-43 advantage with 7:36 remaining.

The Griffs responded with a 9-1 run to take a 52-48 lead on a layup by Buetow with 5:34 left in the contest. Rhode Island tied the game at 56-56 on two free throws by Tanja Licina.

Canisius then put the game away with the eight-point run getting a 3-pointer by Lucas, jump hook by Mullins and a trey by Cavo to make the score 64-56 with 56 seconds remaining.

“We struggled a little bit at the start of the game again, but then our team got a spark from Mere Mullins and we fed off that,” Canisius coach Terry Zeh said. “It's great for our team to have confidence and a two-game winning streak as we head into our conference schedule.”

Shoniker led all players with 18 points, making five 3-pointers. Amanda McGrew had 16 points while Sierra Cooper had six points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Canisius travels to Siena on Sunday, to face the Saints in the Times Union Center. Game time is set for 3 p.m.

Game Notes: Canisius extended its streak of games with a made 3-point field goal to 403 on a make by Micayla Drysdale early in the first half... The Griffs have won three of four at home this season... Canisius picked up its first win over an Atlantic 10 school since a 77-67 victory at St. Bonaventure Dec. 17, 2005... The Griffs held the rebounding advantage (41-38) for the first time in five games... Ellie Radke made her first career start but saw her streak of games with double-figure points end at four... Canisius shot under 69.6 percent from the free-throw line, which is the first time the Griffs have been under 70 percent in a game since Nov. 27, at Notre Dame... Canisius has committed 41 turnovers in the second half of the last seven games.

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Players Mentioned

#53 Laura Buetow: C; 6' 3"; Redshirt

#12 Amanda Cavo: G; 5' 9"; Junior

#23 Micayla Drysdale: G; 5' 9"; Freshman

#13 Brianna Lucas: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#32 Mere Mullins: F; 5' 11"; Senior

#35 Ellie Radke: F; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#1 Brittan? Russell: G; 5' 5"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#53 Laura Buetow
: 6' 3"; Redshirt
: C

#12 Amanda Cavo
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

#23 Micayla Drysdale
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: G

#13 Brianna Lucas
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#32 Mere Mullins
: 5' 11"; Senior
: F

#35 Ellie Radke
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: F

#1 Brittan? Russell
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: G