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KINGSTON, R.I. – The University of Massachusetts women’s basketball team fell on the road at Rhode Island on Saturday afternoon in the Ryan Center, 63-48.
Stefanie Kulesza led the Minutewomen in multiple categories with 15 points, six rebounds, and four steals.
Rhode Island opened the afternoon on an 8-0 run before Alexsia Rose put UMass on the board and followed by scoring the first six points for the Minutewomen. Rose scored eight of her 11 points in the opening 20 minutes of play. UMass made three consecutive field goals and made it a 12-8 game on a Kulesza steal and reverse layup to bring the score to 12-8 with 2:30 left in the quarter.
The Minutewomen used a 7-0 scoring run over 1:33 of game time to get within two points at 25-23 on a Kristin Williams 3-pointer. UMass made four straight field goals during a run that was jumpstarted by a Bre Bellamy 3-pointer. Bellamy started the afternoon by converting on her first three shot attempts, including two from deep, to give her eight points at the halftime break. The Minutewomen shot 64-percent from the field and held the Rams under 50-percent shooting to make it a 32-27 game at the break in favor of Rhode Island.
UMass pulled back within two after the halftime break after Lilly Tauleleimade it a 32-30 game with a free throw 45 seconds into the half. The Rams followed with a 9-0 scoring run to build their then-largest lead of the day at 41-30 with 6:11 to go before Lilly Ferguson ended the run with her first bucket of the contest. UMass trailed 47-34 heading into the fourth and was outscored 15-7 by Rhode Island in the frame while both teams shot under 40-percent from the field in the third.
Kulesza scored seven of the first nine UMass points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of free throws as part of a 6-0 run to make it a 10-point game at 53-43 with just under four to go. Rhode Island answered with a 6-0 scoring run that helped make it a 63-48 final.
UMass returns home to the Mullins Center for Field Trip Day on Wednesday against La Salle. The Minutewomen and the Explorers tip off at 11 a.m. on NESN and ESPN+.
Rhode Islanders who plan to join in the global celebration of Irish culture can choose from big and small events, including a parade in Providence.
The March 17 holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, and many big events will be held the weekend of March 14-15. Originally a modest, religious feast day honoring the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day today is a vibrant, boisterous holiday observed by millions of people regardless of their heritage.
The Providence parade is March 21.
We’ve rounded up 10 more events to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But first, are you planning an event this spring? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!
Here’s your guide to St. Patrick’s Day fun in Rhode Island:
Local News
A Rhode Island husband and wife in their 50s were identified as the two people killed in a Swansea car crash Friday night.
Carlolyn Carcasi, 54, and James Carcasi, 53, of Bristol, Rhode Island, were killed in the Feb. 27 crash, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a press release Monday.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 6 in Swansea, Quinn’s office said.
Police in Cranston, Rhode Island identified the driver who allegedly hit the couple as Demitri Sousa, 28. Sousa allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island nearly four hours before the crash, Cranston police said.
At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said previously.
The couple was driving southbound on Route 136 when the Sousa crashed into the side of a Subaru Ascent. Both cars had “catastrophic damage,” and the Subaru was engulfed in flames, Swansea fire and police officials said.
Both occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene, Swansea officials said.
Sousa was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. He is expected to live and will be held in Cranston police custody until he is medically cleared, police said Sunday.
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CRANSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday.
The event was held at the Cranston Public Library at 9 a.m.
Reed and other leaders of WFRI hosted a panel discussion with women leaders in environmental and agricultural advocacy, education, community resilience, housing, finance, workforce development, and more, officials said.
Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday. (WJAR)
“Women have played a critical role in this process, most often without any recognition,” Reed said. “Today’s panel brings together an extraordinary group of women who are addressing the challenged of sustainability from various angles and I want to thank you all for your great efforts.”
The panelists highlighted their experiences, shared insights and tips on lifting up women’s voices, provided strategies for sparking change and more.
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According to officials, some of the panelists included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council Nessa Richman, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Rhode Island College Kim Bright, Newport Housing Authority Executive Director Rhonda Mitchell and more.
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