PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Strong second and third quarters propelled the Johnson & Wales University women's basketball team to victory on Tuesday. The Wildcats won their home opener, 68-53, against Curry.

 

Records:
Curry: 2-2
Johnson & Wales: 2-1

 

Statistical Leaders:
Raquel Pederzani (JWU): 18 points, 11 assists, 7 rebounds 
Ally Mishol (JWU): 19 points, 6 rebounds
Emily Irwin (CC): 16 points

A pair of Emily Irwin free throws got the Colonels within 26-19 at the 2:04 mark of the second quarter, but the Wildcats ended the half on an 8-3 run to take a 34-22 margin into the locker room. The lead would never dip below 10 the rest of the game and grew to as many as 24 (68-44) on a Raquel Pederzani (Coventry, RI) layup.

Good ball movement by the Wildcats led to several wide-open shots and a 43.5-to-27.0 field goal percentage advantage. JWU was a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line and had a 45-41 rebounding margin.

 

Pederzani just missed the first triple-double of her career with 18 points, a career-high 11 assists and seven rebounds. Forward Ally Mishol (Longmeadow, Mass.) led all players with 19 points and Kristen Habbel (Phoenixville, Pa.) chipped in 11.

 

Irwin was the only Curry player in double digits as she tossed in 16. Gina Coote pulled in a team-high nine rebounds.

 

Next Game:
JWU is on the road November 29 when it travels across town to take on Rhode Island College at 7 p.m. Curry hosts MCLA on Saturday, November 25 at 6:30 p.m.