December 2, 1998

KINGSTON, RI - In a game of surge and countersurge, the University of Rhode Island had the last, and best, drive in its annual showdown against Providence College last night.

The Rams twice lost double-digit leads, fell behind in the final four minutes, then roared back one more time for a hard-earned 63-55 triumph at Keaney Gym.

PC took the lead for only the second time all night, 51-50, on a driving basket by freshman Chrissy Vozab with 3:16 left. Rather than folding after having had control so much of the night, URI responded with its best offensive work of the game. The Rams scored on four straight possessions in less than two minutes, for a total of 10 points.

When Nikki Blakemore capped it with a layup after breaking the PC press, URI was ahead, 61-53, and on its way to the unofficial state championship. The Rams earlier beat Brown.

PC, now 1-4, kept falling behind, then coming back. The Rams seemed to be in control early, riding some outstanding defensive work to a 16-4 lead after 10 minutes. Then it was the Lady Friars' turn for the second part of the half. Thanks to 10 points by Vozab, an excellent young point guard, PC closed within 29-28 by halftime.

When the second half began, URI regained control. The Rams controlled the tempo rather than letting the Friars get into the open court.

URI held PC to just two points -- the Lady Friars scored just once in 16 possessions -- in the first 9:30 of the second half. The Rams took advantage and built a 43-30 advantage.

With Monica Roberts (14 points), Jen Gombotz and Amy Dreschler leading the way, PC came all the way back. The Lady Friars scored 15 straight points, capped by a basket by Farrah Thomas, for a 49-45 lead.

All five players contributed to the final game-winning surge by URI. Megan Gibson hit a 15-foot jumper, was fouled and made the free throw. Amber Jansen (14 points) took a pretty pass through the defense by point guard Colleen Mullen and put in a layup. Mullen then made an ever prettier, no-look, wrap-around pass to Ela Lapciuk. Lapciuk (13points) scored, was fouled and made the free throw for a 58-51 and URI was on its way to the victory.

-- Paul Kenyon, Providence Journal