DANBURY, Conn. - Graduate student Katelyn Fanning (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) scored a team-high 15 points and grabbed five rebounds, but the Western Connecticut State University women's basketball team fell to Little East Conference front runner Rhode Island College, 70-47 at Feldman Arena on Wednesday night.

Juniors Gabrielle Franks (Madison, Conn.) and Nicole Vivian (New Milford, Conn.) added eight and six points, respectively for the Wolves, which have now lost four games in a row and are 12-8 overall and 5-7 in the league.

The Anchormen, now 19-2 overall and 12-0 in the LEC, have won 17 straight games.  They will face Eastern Connecticut State University (17-4, 11-1 LEC) next Wednesday, February 8 in a battle of the first and second-place teams in the conference.

RIC was led by a balanced offensive attack as four of five starters scored in double figures.  Izabelle Booth (Newport, R.I.) led the way with 19 points while Angelina Nardolillo (Hinsdale, N.H.) chipped in 17 points for the winners.  Madison Medbury (Scituate, R.I.) and Jeniyah Jones (Randolph, Mass.) added 14 and a dozen points, respectively.

WestConn held a pair of four-point leads at the midway point of the first quarter.  A short jumper from Vivian put the hosts up 10-6 with 5:06 remaining in the opening period.

The Wolves then regained its final advantage, 12-11, following a lay in from Fanning at the 3:33 mark of the first period.  

The Anchorwomen scored six of the final eight points before the first closing buzzer sounded and would not trail the rest of the way.  The visitors built a pair of 27-point leads in the final stanza.  Booth canned a jumper in the lane for a 70-43 lead for RIC with 1:59 left in the contest.

WestConn will host Keene State College on Saturday, February 4 at 1 pm.  Prior to the tip, the careers of four seniors will be celebrated at center court.

Rhode Island College will enjoy the projected frigid weekend off before returning the the hardwood against the Warriors in Willimantic a week from tonight.