URI Women's Basketball (1.1.5.2)
Latest update: 02/25/98

URI Women's Basketball
1997-1998

Compliments of "Friends of URI Women's Basketball"

The 1998-1999 URI Women's Basketball Season
The 1996-1997 URI Women's Basketball Season



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Coaching Staff
Players / Profiles
Schedule & Results
Game Highlights / Box Scores
League Standings & Results (Come back)
Stats


Coaching Staff



Head Coach: Linda Ziemke

                 Hometown: Carlisle, PA
                Birthdate: November 12, 1951
                Education: B.S., West Chester State, 1973
                Residence: West Kingston, RI
Member: Women's Basketball Coaches Association
      Coaching Experience: 1989 - Present ... URI, Head Coach
                           1978 - 1988 ...... American University,
                                              Head Coach
                           1977 - 1978 ...... Mechanicsburg (PA) High
                                              School, Head Coach
                           1976 - 1977 ...... Connecticut, Assistant
                                              Coach
                           1973 - 1976 ...... Delone Catholic High
                                              School, Head Coach

The 1997-1998 season will be Linda's ninth at URI.  Two years ago,
she had her most successful season ever with a 21-5 record and the
team's first invitation to the "NCAA's".  The team finished third
in the Atlantic-10 Conference. Linda was named Atlantic 10 Coach
of the Year.

Linda puts academic achievement on the highest plateau.  Every player
that has completed her eligibility with Zemke has graduated with a
"meaningful" degree.



Assistant Coach: Erik Johnson Hometown: ? Birthdate: October 14, 1971 Education: California-San Diego, 1994 Master's, Adult Education, URI, 1997 Residence: South Kingstown, RI Member: ? Coaching Experience: URI, volunteer assistant, '94-'95. URI, second assistant, '95-'96. URI, co-first assistant, '96-'97. URI, first assistant, '97-'98. Erik is known throughout California as an excellent teacher, director, and guest speaker. Played in Asia in 1993 on a three week goodwill tour. Eric holds UCSD record for three pointers in a season and career.


Assistant Coach: Dayna Smith Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Birthdate: ? Education: Business Management, URI, 1996 Residence: Narragansett, RI Member: ? Coaching Experience: URI, assistant, '96-'97 Dayna finished a fantastic career at URI in the '95-'96 season. According to the URI '96-'97 Program, Dana is the first athlete, male or female, to join the "1,000 point-700 assist Club". Dana works with the URI guards and is also responsible for the summer basketball camp and clinics throughout Rhode Island.

Assistant Coach: Cindy Weisman Hometown: Silver Spring, MD Birthdate: ? Education: Kent State University, 1996 Summa Cum Laude, Salutatorian Residence: ? Member: TBA Coaching Experience: Assistant coach, URI, '97-'98? Cindy is new in 1997-1998. She was an administrative assistant at the Univeristy of Miami last year.


Student Assistant Coach: Marty Alber Hometown: Westhampton NY Birthdate: ? Education: Westhampton Beach High School, 1995 Residence: ? Member: ? Coaching Experience: Helped with team last year. Marty was a freshman guard on the '95-'96 URI Women's Basketball Team. Last year she helped on the sidelines. A psychology major.

Practice Players: Jed O'Malley and William Whetstone used to practice with the team? Jed and William graduated last year, Class of 1997.

Trainer: Joy Rhett Joy is ... .


Players / Profiles


--------------------------------------------------------
 No Name              Pos   Ht   Class H.S/Home Town
--- ----------------- ----- ---- ----- -----------------
 40 Nikki Blakemore   F     6-01 '00   Hylton High/Dale City, VA
 43 Dena Cocchiola    G     5-08 '00   Sacred Heart/Camden, CT
 35 Megan Gibson      F     5-10 '00   PHS/Philadelphia, PA
 30 Sarah Grazier     G     5-08 '01   THS/Tyrone, PA
 22 Tanya Hvizdak     G     5-11 '00   West Woods/Hamden, CT
 33 Amber Jansen      F     6-02 '01   Fayetville-Man/Manlius, NY
 13 Ela Lapciuk       F     5-11 '01   NHS/Newington, CT
 31 Carrie Lightfoot  F     5-11 '01   LHS/Leo, IN (Quit team-school.)
 45 Shannon Murray    C     6-01 '01   John Abbott College/Montreal
 23 Rhonda Pacheco    G     5-08 '01   Durfee/Fall River, MA
 25 Tiffany Steele    F     6-00 '00   SHS/Southington, CT
 32 Donna Strike      G     5-08 '00   CHS/Chambersburg, PA
 43 Holly Wickstrom   C/F   6-02 '99   Mt. St. Dominic Acad/Caldwell, NJ 
 (Quit team-school.)

Nikki Blakemore: SCFun suspects that she may be the "team clown". Is she?

Denna Cocchiola: Prefers culottes over shorts. Likes the jump shot. Captain.
Megan Gibson: Holds Philly high school scoring record for one game - 41 points. Will be orthopedic surgeon someday. Sarah Grazier: A ...
Tanya Hvizdak: Lots of "leadership" awards in high school. Will sacrifice her body if needed. Featured in 11/20/97 ProJo's "Hers", in a story about a day in the life on a Division I college Basketball Player. Captain.
Amber Jansen: A ...
Ela Lapciuk: A lefty. Lots of potential.
Carrie Lightfoot: A ...
Shannon Murray: Feisty.
Rhonda Pacheco: A walkon from Fall River.
Tiffany Steele: Loves animals. Majoring in Animal Science.
Donna Strike: Donna "Lee" - a runner also, majoring in elementary education. Played AAU ball for the Philadelphia Belles.
Holly Wickstrom: Likes to relax, listen to music and hang out with friends. Photography is a hobby.


Schedule & Results


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day  Date       Opponent                         Location Time    Results
---- ---------- -------------------------------- -------- ------- -------
Sun  Nov 09     Rossianko                        URI      2:00    Exhibit
Sat  Nov 15     Vermont                          URI      2:00    L 77-63
Tue  Nov 18     Providence                       Away     6:00    L 97-73
Sat  Nov 29     UConn                            Away     2:00    L 101-38
Tue  Dec 02     Dartmouth                        URI      7:00    L 60-57
Thu  Dec 04     Brown                            Away     6:00    L 72-62
Sun  Dec 07     Siena                            Away     3:00    W 83-76
Wed  Dec 10     Harvard                          Away     7:00    L 77-55
Sun  Dec 21     Maine                            URI      2:00    L 91-55
Sun  Dec 28     State Farm Classic-Florida       Away     T:BA    L 76-53
Mon  Dec 29     State Farm Classic-Kent State    Away     T:BA    W 62-59
Fri  Jan 02     Virginia Tech                    Away     7:00    L 84-60
Sun  Jan 04     Duquesne                         Away     2:00    L 70-47
Fri  Jan 09     St. Joseph's                     URI      7:00    L 75-59
Sun  Jan 11     Temple                           URI     12:00    L 57-39
Thu  Jan 15     Fordham                          Away     7:00    W 70-54
Sat  Jan 17     Xavier                           URI      2:00    L 82-67
Fri  Jan 23     LaSalle                          Away     7:30    L 81-44
Sun  Jan 25     St. Joseph's                     Away     2:00    L 62-38
Thu  Jan 29     Dayton                           URI      7:00    L 82-69
Sun  Feb 01     Temple                           Away     2:00    W 72-62
Wed  Feb 04     UMass                            URI      7:00    L 62-43
Sun  Feb 08     St. Bonaventure                  URI     11:55    W 70-63
Tue  Feb 10     UMass                            Away     7:00    L 65-55
Sat  Feb 14     Fordham                          URI      7:00    W 67-65
Mon  Feb 16     St. Bonaventure                  Away     7:00    L 95-67
Sat  Feb 21     George Washington                URI      2:00    L 68-48
Tue  Feb 24     A-10 Tour - La Salle             URI      7:00    L 59-57



Game Highlights / Box Scores



Nov 09, 1997 (Game #EX1): URI hosts Club of Rossianko, Russia

  Rossianko 68, URI 52
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            4- 7  1- 2  10
   Blakemore         5-11  2- 4  12
   Steele            5-13  0- 1  10
   Hvizdak           1- 6  1- 2   3
   Cocchiola         5-18  1- 2  11
   Lightfoot         0- 0  0- 0   0
   Strike            0- 3  0- 0   0
   Jansen            2- 5  2- 6   6
   Murray            0- 2  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            22-65  7-17  52

   3 Pts: Gibson.
     1/2: ROS 30-28.



Nov 15, 1997 (Game #01): URI hosts Vermont

  URI outplayed by Vermont
  It wasn't one of URI's best performances. There aren't any
highlights. URI, with no juniors or seniors, started four sophomores
and one freshman. (Starting lineup is the first five players in the
box score.)
  URI was cold from the beginning and never "snapped out of it".
They looked a little squeaky - needing some oil. SCFun felt URI would
eventually win, but it never happened.
  After a slow start, URI managed to tie the game at 16-all but that
may have been the closest they got all afternoon. They were down by
seven at the half and 16 at the 3/4 mark before losing 77-63.
  Vermont's Karalyn Church led Vermont and scored a bundle close in.
  URI's freshman Ela Lapciuk, a lefty, couldn't buy a basket. Freshman
Shannon Murray, a Jenny McCarthy look-alike, impressed with her
feistiness. Amber Jansen, another freshman, looked good.
  There was some dissension between a couple of the URI players late
in the game as they returned to the bench. What happened?
  Dena's mom was encouraging the kids with about a minute left and
down by 12. "Come on, URI - all we need is four 3-pointers!".
  The crowd was small. There were lots of familiar faces from the
South Kingstown community that were ushering. The pep band was big
and included Krista Martin, a great Westerly soccer, basketball, 
softball standout.
  Erin Fuller, concentrating on piano instead of basketball, was in
the stands. It was good to see Sue Kessler, former URI softball great,
and hear her news.
  It looks like the team is wearing Reeboks. The Kids' Club members
competed for a $50 prize at half-time by throwing paper planes at a
target on the court.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            0- 0  0- 0  12
   Blakemore         0- 0  0- 0   6
   Steele            0- 0  0- 0   6
   Lapciuk           4-22  0- 0   7
   Cocchiola         0- 0  0- 0  10
   Hvizdak           0- 0  0- 0   7
   Strike            0- 0  0- 0   ?
   Jansen            0- 0  2- 0  12
   Murray            0- 0  0- 0   ?
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            00-00 00-00  63

   3 Pts: Lapciuk, Gibson, ?
     1/2: VER 33-26.



Nov 18, 1997 (Game #02): URI visits PC at PCC

  URI loses by 24, 97-73 (URI 24% from floor, PC 58%)
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            0- 7  0- 0   0
   Blakemore         4-10  1- 4   9
   Jansen            6-13  6- 7  18
   Lapciuk           6-26 11-14  26
   Cocchiola         1- 9  4- 4   7
   Pacheco           2- 5  2- 2   8
   Steele            0- 0  2- 2   2
   Grazier           0- 1  0- 0   0
   Lightfoot         0- 2  0- 0   0
   Strike            1- 5  0- 0   2
   Murray            0- 0  1- 2   1
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            20-84?27-35  73

   3 Pts: URI 6-26 (Lapciuk 3, Cocchiola 1, Pacheco 2).
     1/2: PC 41-34.



Nov 29, 1997 (Game #03): URI visits UConn

  Is anybody looking? Crushing defeat (101-38) - got to be one of
their worst
  It was Geno Auriemma's 300th win, with former stars Rebecca Lobo
and Kara Wolters in the stands. Hopefully URI can just forget it.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Lapciuk           1- 7  4- 6   7
   Blakemore         3-10  0- 2   6
   Jansen            5- 9  2- 3  12
   Gibson            1- 3  0- 1   2
   Cocchiola         2- 9  0- 0   6
   Hvizdak           0- 0  0- 0   0
   Pacheco           1- 2  0- 0   2
   Steele            0- 2  0- 0   0
   Grazier           1- 2  0- 0   3
   Strike            0- 1  0- 0   0
   Murray            0- 0  0- 1   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            14-45  6-13  38

   3 Pts: Lapciuk, Cocchiola 2, Grazier.
     1/2: UC 54-15.



Dec 02, 1997 (Game #04): URI hosts Dartmouth

  URI loses a close one, 60-57
  Gibson and Murray didn't play.?
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Lapciuk           5-12  1- 4  13
   Blakemore         7-11  0- 0  14
   Jansen            2- 2  0- 0   4
   Hvizdak           2- 7  1- 6   5
   Cocchiola         3-12  0- 0   6
   Pacheo            3- 4  0- 0   8
   Steele            3- 6  1- 2   7
   Grazier           0- 1  0- 0   0
   Strike            0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            25-55  3-12  57

   3 Pts: Lapciuk 2, Pacheo 2.
     1/2: ?. 



Dec 05, 1997 (Game #05): URI visits Brown

  URI loses their fifth straight game, 72-62
  No box score in the local paper. Maybe tomorrow?
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Blakemore         8-12        17
   Pacheco           2- 2  2- ?   8
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            00-00 00-00  62

   3 Pts: XXX (xxxx x, yyyy x)
     1/2: XXX 00-00



Dec 07, 1997 (Game #06): URI hosts visits Siena

  URI wins their first game, 83-76
  Blakemore led the team with 24. ProJo says that Steele's defense
was a big factor. Ex St.Raphael Academy player, Sacha Baker, scored
nine for Siena. Box score doesn't cross-check. Jansen must have made
three foul shots.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Lapciuk           5-10  4- 5  15
   Blakemore         8-10  8-12  24
   Jansen            3- 5  2? 3   9
   Hvizdak           3- 5  3- 4  10
   Cocchiola         4- 9  4- 4  13
   Pacheco           4- 9  0- 0  10
   Steele            0- 2  0- 0   0
   Strike            0- 0  0- 0   0
   Murray            1- 1  0- 0   2
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            28-49?22?28  83
                       51 21

   3 Pts: Pacheco 2, Lapciuk, Hvizdak, Cocchiola.
     1/2: URI 46-25.



Dec 10, 1997 (Game #07): URI visits Harvard

  URI loses to Harvard, 77-55
  Rhonda Pacheco is second in the nation in 3-point percentage with
68%. Amber Jansen's 20 points is a career high.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Lapciuk           5- 8  2- 3  13
   Hvizdak           1- 3  2- 2   4
   Jansen            6-10  8- 9  20
   Blakemore         1- 3  0- 3   2
   Cocchiola         2-12  0- 0   4
   Strike            0- 1  1- 2   1
   Pacheco           3- 5  0- 1   9
   Gibson            1- 5  0- 0   2
   Steele            0- 2  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            19-49 13-20  55

   3 Pts: Pacheco 3, Lapciuk 1.
     1/2: HAR 33-29.



Dec 21, 1997 (Game #08): URI hosts Maine

  URI in a pickle with two veterans injured - Maine wins 91-55
  It was a good and bad game if your a fan of both Maine and URI.
Maine played as expected. Great defense. And the offense wasn't bad
either. Cindy Blodgett (31) and Amy Vachon (18, 6 for 6 FG) were
outstanding for Maine.
  Cindy made a great volleyball-pass assist on a 3-on-2 that was the 
highlight of the game.
  URI was without freshman sensation Ela Lapciuk and Tanya Hvizdak.
Tanya was on crutches. Ela has a leg injury. Megan Gibson and Rhonda
Pacheco got starts along with the usual Nikki Blakemore, Dena
Cocchiola, and Amber Jansen.
  Shannon Murray was playing with a clear mask. Dena was bleeding from
the mouth late in the game from some sort of contact.
  Governor Almond showed up and sat in the "front row". The crowd was
about the same as a mid-week, school-in-session crowd.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            4- 7  1- 1  10
   Blakemore         3- 6  4-12  10
   Jansen            6-11  1- 3  13
   Pacheco           2- 6  8-10  14
   Cocchiola         0-11  5- 6   5
   Steele            0- 1  0- 0   0
   Grazier           1- 6  0- 0   2
   Strike            0- 0  0- 0   0
   Murray            0- 2  1- 2   1
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            16-50 20-34  55

   3 Pts: Gibson, Pacheco 2.   
     1/2: M 46-30.



Dec 28, 1997 (Game #09): URI vs Florida at Gainesville

  URI loses to 12th ranked Florida at Gainesville
  Hvizdak makes her return from crutches. Lapciuk still injured.
  URI had 30 turnovers, Florida had 14.
  URI didn't block any shots. Florida blocked 5.
  URI had 4 steals, Florida had 17.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Hvizdak           1- 5  0- 0   2
   Blakemore         7- 9  0- 0  14
   Jansen            5- 9  5- 6  15
   Pacheo            1- 4  0- 0   3
   Cocchiola         1-10  0- 1   2
   Strike            3- 3  0- 0   7
   Gibson            5- 8  0- 0  10
   Murray            0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            23-48  5- 7  53

   3 Pts: Pacheo, Strike.
     1/2: FL 36-22.



 Dec 29, 1997 (Game #10):URI vs Kent State at Gainesville

  URI gets their second win of the season, beating Kent State, 62-59
  Donna Strike has a perfect night. Lapciuk sees some action.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Hvizdak           4- 6  0- 2  10
   Blakemore         3- 6  2- 3   8
   Jansen            3- 4  6- 7  12
   Gibson            5-15  1- 2  13
   Cocchiola         3- 8  2- 2?  8
   Pacheco           2- 3  0- 0   4
   Strike            2- 2  2- 2   7
   Murray            0- 1  0- 1   0
   Lapciuk           0- 0  0- 0   0
   Grazier           0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            22-45 11-17  62
   Error                  13-19?

   3 Pts: Hvizdak 2, Gibson 2, Cocchiola 2, Strike.
     1/2: URI 37-21.



Jan 02, 1998 (Game #11): URI visits Virginia Tech

  URI loses their A-10 opener to Virginia Tech, 84-60
  Nikki Blakemore has a great game with 9 points, 10 rebounds, and
6 steals.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            3- 6  2- 4   8
   Blakemore         3- 8  3- 8   9
   Jansen            3- 8  5- 6  11
   Hvizdak           2- 5  5- 7   9
   Cocchiola         2-10  1- 2   5
   Pacheco           2- 4  1- 2   7
   Grazier           1- 1  0- 0   2
   Strike            3-11  2- 3   9
   Murray            0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            19-53 19-32  60

   3 Pts: Pacheco 2, Strike.
     1/2: VT 39-19.



Jan 04, 1998 (Game #12): URI visits Duquense

  URI is stomped by Duquense, 70-47
  Poor shooting continues to haunt URI.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            5-10  1- 3  11
   Blakemore         2- 6  3- 4   7
   Jansen            3-11  2- 4   8
   Hvizdak           2- 6  2- 5   7
   Cocchiola         3-16  2- 2   9
   Pacheco           1- 3  0- 0   3
   Strike            1- 5  0- 0   2
   Murray            0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            17-57 10-18  47

   3 Pts: Hvizdak, Cocchiola, Pacheco.
     1/2: DUQ 32-23.



Jan 09, 1998 (Game #13): URI hosts St. Joseph's

  URI drops another, this time to St. Joe's, 75-59
  Melissa Coursey was 12-19 from the field for St. Joseph's. Nine of
those twelve shots were 3-pointers. Ouch!
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Jansen            6-10  3- 5  15
   Blakemore         1- 6  2- 7   4
   Gibson            5- 7  0- 1  11
   Strike            1- 3  0- 1   2
   Cocchiola         6-15  0- 0  13
   Hvizdak           4- 7  1- 2  10
   Pacheco           2- 4  0- 0   4
   Grazier           0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            25-52  6-16  59

   3 Pts: Gibson, Cocchiola, Hvizdak.
     1/2: STJ 37-19.



Jan 11, 1998 (Game #14): URI hosts Temple

  URI never gets on track, losing to Temple, 57-39
  What a frustrating game. It always seemed like URI would soon give 
themselves a "big shake" and get on track but it never happened. They
jumped out to an early lead but eventually Temple, behind senior Jen
Ricco, slowly pulled ahead. Ricco scored 25 points and played great
"D".
  URI was stuck on 12 points for the longest time. Finally Amber
Jansen sank two free throws with 1:04 left in the first half to bring
URI's deficit to 26-14.
  Temple's defense was great and time and again, the URI bench would
count down the 30 second shot clock as URI had difficulty finding
their shot. On a few occasions the clock actually ran out. Other
times, they were forcing shots with one and two seconds left. Ela
Lapciuk, back after missing a few games, had a nice put-back on an
errant last second shot by a teammate. She also had her moments in the
second half, driving the lane and picking up fouls.
  In the second half, Nikki Blakemore got them within nine points,
40-31, on a pullup with 7:30 left in the game, but that was the
closest they would come.
  It was URI's lowest score since they scored 38 against UConn.
  Amy Apicerno, SKHS Class of 1997 and now a UMass Freshman, worked
the stats for URI.
  Sarah Tift, NKHS's great center, participated in a half-time
shooting contest with about four others. She and a gentleman tied with
11 points in the first round. In the second round, she demolished her
opponent with 12 points, mainly on some great foul shooting. She is
now eligible to compete in the finals for a USAirways roundtrip (?).
She said she was picked at random but it seems a little suspicious
that she showed up in her sneakers and NK uniform.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            2-12  0- 1   4
   Blakemore         4- 8  0- 1   8
   Jansen            3- 8  3- 5   9
   Hvizdak           1- 5  2- 2   4
   Cocchiola         4-15  0- 0   8
   Lapciuk           1- 6  4- 4   6
   Pacheco           0- 2  0- 2   0
   Strike            0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            15-56  9-15  39

   3 Pts: None.               
     1/2: TEM 29-16.



Jan 15, 1998 (Game #15): URI visits Fordham

  URI beats Fordham, 70-54
  Ela Lapciuk is big off the bench
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            4-10  2- 2  11
   Blakemore         5- 8  2- 4  12
   Jansen            5- 8  6- 9  16
   Hvizdak           0- 3  4- 6   4
   Cocchiola         2-12  2- 4   7
   Lapciuk           5-12  6- 6  17
   Pacheco           1- 1  0- 0   3
   Strike            0- 2  0- 0   0
   Murray            0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            22-56 22-31  70

   3 Pts: Gibson, Cocchiola, Lapciuk, Pacheco.
     1/2: URI 33-28.



Jan 17, 1998 (Game #16): URI hosts Xavier

  URI falls short to Xavier, 82-67
  It was an exciting game. URI substituted like crazy. Kids coming
out of the game would immediately line up to go back in. URI had a
shot at the win most of the game but couldn't quite take that extra
step. The fans were all over the refs for a number of poor calls,
mostly related to traveling.
  As the game started to slip away in the second half, Tanya Hvizdak
hit a 3-pointer to bring URI within eight with 1:57 to go, but that
was about as close as they could come down the stretch. Tanya had a
great game both ways. 
  Dena Cocchiola played well. She was mad about her team's offense
in the first few minutes and chewed out a few players. She had a nice
pass to Amber Jansen on a fast break. Amber converted. Dena had to be
reminded late in the game to "stop pouting" on a missed offensive
play and to get back on defense.
  Meg Gibson made a bad pass that led to an Xavier break-away but
Meghan followed the played and made a fantastic block on her
opponent's shot. She was having ankle problems throughout the game.
  "Everybody loves Ela". It's fun to watch Ela Lapciuk. She is worth
the price of admission. She got into a very minor skirmish early on
with an Xavier player. Cool heads prevailed. She is not afraid to
drive the lane. She was constantly in and out of the game. At one
point Dayna Smith yelled "Shoot it, Ela", when Ela chose to pass on
her chances to make a basket and make an iffy pass to a teammate. She
is most likely not 100%.
  Tiffany Steele was in uniform but didn't see any action. She may
still be injured. Donna Strike played with a face mask. 
 It was alumni day at URI. There was an alumni game earlier in the
day. A few players (Ellen Bruckshaw, Kerry Giroux, Jean Kelly, Anne
Kelsen, Tracy Hathaway Luster, Mary Malone, Dayna Smith, and former
assistant coach Jane Schweichimer) were introduced at half-time
although there were a few no-shows.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Lapciuk           2- 6  3- 4   7
   Blakemore         5- 8  4- 7  14
   Jansen            6- 7  4- 4  16
   Gibson            2- 8  2- 4   6
   Cocchiola         4- 9  1- 3   9
   Hvizdak           4-10  2- 2  12
   Pacheco           1- 3  0- 0   3
   Strike            0- 4  0- 0   0
   Murray            0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            24-55 16-24  67

   3 Pts: Hvizdak 2, Pacheco. 
     1/2: Xav 37-30.



Jan 23, 1998 (Game #17): URI visits La Salle

  URI overmatched, La Salle wins 81-44
  Poor shooting, 17 for 53 (.321) dooms URI. Amber Jansen had 17 with
eight rebounds. Tiffany Steele is back after a long absence.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Lapciuk           3-12  1- 2   9
   Blakemore         0- 4  0- 0   0
   Jansen            6-10  5- 7  17
   Gibson            4- 6  0- 0   8
   Cocchiola         4-11  1- 1   9
   Hvizdak           0- 2  0- 0   0
   Pacheco           0- 3  0- 0   0
   Steele            0- 0  1- 2   1
   Strike            0- 5  0- 0   0 
   Murray            0- 0  0- 1   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            17-53  8-13  44

   3 Pts: Lapciuk 2.
     1/2: LaS 35-23.



Jan 25, 1998 (Game #18): URI visits St. Joseph's

  URI loses to St. Joe's, 62-38
  Poor shooting continues to be a problem.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Lapciuk           3- 5  0- 0   8
   Blakemore         1- 6  0- 2   2
   Jansen            4-10  1- 2   9
   Gibson            1- 7  3- 4   5
   Cocchiola         1- 7  0- 0   2
   Hvizdak           3- 7  0- 0   6
   Pacheco           0- 1  0- 0   0
   Steele            1- 5  0- 0   2
   Strike            0- 3  0- 0   0
   Murray            2- 2  0- 1   4
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            16-53  4- 9  38

   3 Pts: Lapciuk 2.
     1/2: StJ 27-9.



Jan 29, 1998 (Game #19): URI hosts Dayton

  Dayton wins 82-69
  Dayton plays tough on defense. URI played well in the second half
and cut their half-time deficit by two points.
  Tanya Hvizdak was in street clothes. Amber Jansen fouled out with
8:35 left in the game. Nikki Blakemore also fouled out. Anyone else?
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Lapciuk           4- 9  0- 3  10
   Blakemore         1- 2  0- 0   2
   Jansen            2- 8  0- 0   4
   Gibson            5-15  2- 2  15
   Cocchiola         4-14  0- 1  10
   Pacheco           4- 9  1- 2  13
   Steele            2- 5  0- 1   4
   Strike            1- 6  7- 9   9
   Murray            1- 1  0- 0   2
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            24-69 10-18  69

   3 Pts: Lapciuk 2, Gibson 3, Cocchiola 2, Pacheco 4.
     1/2: D 45-30.



Feb 01, 1998 (Game #20): URI visits Temple

  URI plays well, beats Temple 72-62
  Tanya Hvizdak had a career-high 17 points. Amber Jansen tied her
career-high.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Lapciuk           2- 8  5- 6   9
   Blakemore         2- 6  1- 2   5
   Jansen            6- 8  8-11  20
   Gibson            4- 9  3- 4  12
   Cocchiola         0- 2  4- 6   4
   Hvizdak           5- 7  7- 9  17
   Pacheco           1- 4  2- 4   5
   Steele            0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            20-44 30-42  72

   3 Pts: Gibson, Pacheco. 
     1/2: URI 30-24.



Feb 04, 1998 (Game #21): URI hosts UMass

  URI loses to UMass, 62-43
  Lapciuk scores 18.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Lapciuk           7-13  2- 3  18
   Blakemore         3- 5  1- 2   7
   Jansen            2- 7  6- 6  10
   Gibson            2- 9  0- 0   4
   Cocchiola         1- 6  1- 2   4
   Hvizdak           0- 3  0- 0   0
   Pacheco           0- 1  0- 0   0
   Steele            0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            15-44 10-13  43

   3 Pts: Lapciuk 2, Cocchiola 1.
     1/2: UM 26-25.



Feb 08, 1998 (Game #22): URI hosts St. Bonaventure

  Ziemke gets her 100th URI win with great comeback over St.
Bonaventure, 70-63
  Congrats to Linda Ziemke. One hundred wins at URI. And it was a
great come from behind win for her, her coaches, the players, and the
fans.
  It was 3:48 into the game before URI even got on the scoreboard with
a field goal by Dena Cocchiola. It wasn't looking good and yet, at the
half, URI was only down by eight, 35-27.
  Then a slow but steady comeback. Amber Jansen got them within three
41-44 with a basket close in and a free throw. With 6:22 left, Amber
stepped to the charity stripe and sank two to get URI within two at
55-57. With 5:34 left, Megan Gibson scored on a layup to tie the game
at 57-all. Now we have a ball game.
  Again, it was Amber, with 3:25 left and two more free throws to put
URI ahead for the first time with a 63-61 score.
  Megan Gibson fouled out as the clock wound down. St. Bonaventure had
one second on the shot clock with an inbounds play but a "kicked ball" 
gave them a new 30-second clock. Tough luck.
  But then a nice left hander by Amber Jansen and it was 65-63, URI.
Amber was terrific down the stretch. 
  A URI turnover but then a nice steal by Ela who was also played some 
clutch ball. Thirty-seven seconds left.
  Dena was then fouled. She hit a free throw and got her own rebound
on her second shot then she was fouled again, only to miss both
shots. 
  Then Ela had another steal with 18 seconds left. She was fouled and 
sank both for a 68-63 lead. Nikki Blakemore had the last two points
on an easy layup and Linda got her 100th. Break out the cake, candles,
and soft drinks.
  A lot of URI players were in foul trouble. Tiffany Steele had four
through much of the second half. Ela Lapciuk had ankle problems late
in the game. She applied ice and, happily for all, she was able to
come back. Tanya often looked like she was in pain. Where was Sarah
Grazier - has she quit the team?
  The Bonny's Hilary Waltman took a pass in the stomach and was
walking around in pain late in the game.
  The URI Softball Team put on a great demo at half-time.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            6-14  2- 2  14
   Blakemore         2- 3  1- 5   5
   Jansen            7-14  8- 9  22
   Hvizdak           1- 4  2- 2   4
   Cocchiola         4-10  2- 6  11
   Lapciuk           2- 4  2- 4   6
   Pacheco           0- 3  1- 2   1
   Steele            2- 3  1- 2   5
   Strike            1- 2  0- 0   2
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            25-57 19-32  70

   3 Pts: Cocchiola.
     1/2: StB 35-27.



Feb 10, 1998 (Game #23): URI visits UMass

  UMass wins 65-55
  Amber Jansen 12-for-12 from the free throw line.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            6-11  1- 2  13
   Blakemore         1- 2  1- 1   3
   Jansen            4- 9 12-12  20
   Hvizdak           0- 3  0- 1   0
   Cocchiola         2- 8  2- 3   7
   Lapciuk           0- 0  0- 0   0
   Pacheco           4- 8  0- 2  10
   Steele            0- 2  0- 0   0
   Strike            1- 1  0- 0   2
   Murray            0- 0  0- 1   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            18-44 16-22  55

   3 Pts: Cocchiola, Pacheco 2.
     1/2: UM    33-20.



Feb 14, 19988 (Game #24): URI hosts Fordham

  URI beats Fordham 67-65
  Amber Jansen's three pointer with 41 seconds left and 1 of 2 free
throws with 8 seconds left clinched the victory. Amber had 12 for 12
free throws. (How could ProJo say she had 1 of 2 and yet make 12-12?)
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            6-12  2- 4  14
   Blakemore         3- 8  1- 6   7
   Jansen            3-11 12-12  18
   Hvizdak           0- 2  2- 2   2
   Cocchiola         5-13  3- 4  15
   Lapciuk           4- 9  0- 1   9
   Pacheco           1- 5  0- 0   2
   Steele            0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            22-60 20-29  67

   3 Pts: Cocchiola 2, Lapciuk. 
     1/2: URI 27-26.



Feb 16, 1998 (Game #25): URI visits St. Bonaventure

  URI loses big to St. Bonaventure, 95-67
  Grazier is still on the team. Amber Jansen continues her great foul
shooting, hitting 6 for 6. Cocchiola hit 7 for 7 from the field.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            4-12  1- 1  11
   Blakemore         9-14  1- 2  19
   Jansen            4- 6  6- 6  14
   Hvizdak           2- 6  0- 0   4
   Cocchiola         7- 7  0- 0  17
   Pacheco           0- 3  0- 0   0
   Steele            1- 2  0- 0   2
   Grazier           0- 1  0- 0   0
   Strike            0- 1  0- 0   0
   Murray            0- 0  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            27-52  8- 9  67

   3 Pts: Gibson 2, Cocchiola 3.
     1/2: StB 47-37.



Feb 21, 1998 (Game #26): URI hosts George Washington

  URI can't comeback, losing to GW 68-48
  URI hung in there to the superior team. George Washington played
great defense plus they were very tall and played their inside game
to perfection.
  URI got within 11 a couple times in the second half. Once on two
foul shots by Megan Gibson. The crowd kept urging the Rams to shoot
in the late going and not to pass so much. Amber Jansen finally took
one (why doesn't this great free thrower take more) and she made it to
get URI within 11 again.
  Nikki Blakemore had a great pass to Megan Gibson on a semi backdoor
thing that got the crowd on its collective feet. But URI, which has
had some great games recently, was not able to pull this one out.
  Early in the game, with the lane open, Dena Cocchiola did a nice
spin move to get herself free with no one between her and the basket
but then she spun again to get herself back into the middle of the
defense. The fans were befuddled with that double spin move that
should have been a single. All the judges gave her 5.4's except for
the Russian judge who gave her a 5.6.
  Ela Lapciuk was in street clothes. Stress fracture. Was Grazier
there?
  Rhonda Pacheco had a battle going with G.W.'s top scorer, Elisa
Aguilar. Elisa had words for Rhonda about her defense on one
transition down the floor. Then the next time down the floor for G.W.,
Elisa had the ball as Rhonda's nose got much too close to Elisa's
elbow. Rhonda had to leave the game with a bloody nose. It seemed like
the ref wanted Rhonda to do something? "Not now, when you're ready,"
the ref said to Rhonda as she sat at the end of the bench.
What was that all about? [The ref was talking to Joy; he wanted her to
clean up some blood on the floor.]
  Playoffs are next. Tuesday night at Keaney against La Salle.
  Does Dick Lynch, head of the RI Interscholastic League, have to sit
up in the blue corner seat in the section across from the URI bench
and rate the A-10 refs every game? What scrutiny!
  There were many high school players in attendance. Sarah Tift came
in third in the half-time shoot-off and won a VCR. (Is the Sony play
station more valuable than a VCR?). La Salle's Shannon Perry was there
with her AAU friend from Classical, Fatou Cissoko. Shannon is being
recruited by URI. Across the way was Central's Paulette Johnson.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Gibson            3-14  0- 1   6
   Blakemore         1- 4  3- 4   5
   Jansen            8-13  4- 5  21
   Hvizdak           3- 4  3- 3   9
   Cocchiola         2-10  1- 4   5
   Pacheco           0- 2  0- 0   0
   Steele            1- 3  0- 0   2
   Strike            0- 1  0- 0   0
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            18-51 11-17  48

   3 Pts: Jansen.              
     1/2: GW 35-17.



Feb 24, 1998 (Game #P1): URI hosts La Salle

  URI suffers a crushing, last second defeat, 59-57
  It was an unbelievable loss. The players were in shock at the end.
URI was up by seven, 56-49, with about 1:25 left in the game. La
Salle then went on a 10-1 run to stun URI. Unbelievable.
  URI held a brief lead in the early going, 6-5, when Dena Cocchiola
drove the lane and had a fancy dipsy-do layup. That was their last
lead until halfway through the second half. 
  La Salle's #35, Carrie Jewett, lost her contact when Tanya Hvizdak
defense got too close. She stumbled around for a while, her teammates
were even passing to her.
  Ela Lapciuk was in street clothes. At one time she disappeared.
Where's Ela? Oh, she's in the game. Huh? If there was any chance of
her playing, you would have thought she would at least be in uniform.
She was obviously playing in pain. "Great job, Ela." She scored some
big points. She makes things happen. She had a nice rebound and a put
back on a missed free throw by Nikki. It was Ela's 3-pointer with
10:30 left in the game that tied the score 35-all.
  URI then slowly pulled ahead. Dena had a basket. Nikki Blakemore
drove the right side and converted the foul for three more big points.
Another Niiki basket. Then another Nikki basket. URI, 46-42. 
  La Salle's defense fell asleep and in inbounds pass to Ela and a
feed to Nikki made it 50-45.
  Dena made four clutch free throws late in the game. 
  Then URI made a big mistake. They turned the ball over as Rhonda
Pacheco dribbled into a La Salle ambush, just over the center line
in the "corner".
  Then that horrible 85 seconds. Dena grabbed a great rebound but lost
the ball. La Salle hit a three. URI, 56-52. Meg Gibson converted one
of two free throws. URI, 57-52. That would be URI's last basket.
Another La Salle basket followed by another and it's URI, 57-56, with
18 seconds left.
  Then a controversial turnover by URI. They couldn't inbound the ball 
within five seconds. La Salle then inbounded under their own basket
and hit a 3-pointer for a 59-57 lead. 
  With five seconds left, Tanya Hvizdak, drove the court, down the
middle, putting up an off balanced shot at the foul line that hit the
rim and bounced off. Tanya laid on the floor while Amber Jansen and the
rest of URI team were in shock. Coach Ziemke shook La Salle's hand.
That was it. Unbelievable.
  Great season URI. SCFun hopes you are all back again next year.
   URI              FG  A  M  A   T
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Blakemore         7- 0  4- 9  18
   Gibson            5- 0  1- 2  11
   Jansen            1- 0  0- 0   2
   Hvizdak           2- 0  1- 5   5
   Cocchiola         2- 0  4- 5   8
   Lapciuk           4- 0  1- 2  10
   Pacheco           1- 0  0- 0   2
   Steele            0- 0  0- 0   0
   Strike            0- 0  0- 0   0
   Murray            0- 0  1- 2   1
                    -- -- -- -- ---
   Total            22-00 12-22  57

   3 Pts: Lapciuk. 
     1/2: LS 24-23.



League Standings & Results



?



Stats / Records



Stats
(Thru Game #X, MM/DD/YY)
(This will be updated if figures are "somewhere", SCFun won't keep track.)
Offense
Rebounds
Misc/Defense
G'sFG3'sFTFTATPtsOffDefTotalA'sTO'sBlk'sStealsPF's
Blakemore 00000000000000
Wickstrom 00000000000000
Team_0000000000000
Totals00000000000000




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