ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – Basketball coaches like to say that defense travels.
The Roberts Wesleyan College women's basketball team took its zone defense on the road and smothered Molloy College 65-43 in an East Coast Conference game on Sunday afternoon. The victory completed a weekend sweep of Queens and Molloy and extended the Redhawks' winning streak to four games.
"I just like the way that our team is playing right now," Roberts coach Kevin Clifford said. "Defense, rebounding and the bench. I thought those were the keys to the game."
Roberts limited Molloy to 31 percent shooting (18 of 58) in the game and outrebounded the Lions 46-37. The Redhawks also forced 20 turnovers and held an 18-7 advantage in bench points.
Sophomore guard Toni Neely-Primus scored 20 points to lead Roberts (8-5, 5-2 ECC) and senior center Dimitra Gkizani recorded her third double-double in four games with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Taryn Wilson, Georgia Haverlock and Nyah Johnson each added eight points for the Redhawks.
"Toni is special," Clifford said. "She is really even keel and she can play multiple positions. She's playing with a lot of confidence right now."
Roberts opened the game on a 9-0 run but trailed 10-9 after the first quarter. The Redhawks found their shooting touch in the second quarter, sinking 4 of 7 three-point attempts. Neely-Primus connected from long range to give Roberts a 16-15 advantage with 7:21 left in the half and the Redhawks never trailed again.
Neely-Primus scored 10 points in the first half and Haverlock scored all eight of her points in the second quarter
Johnson gave the Redhawks a spark in the third quarter, scoring five points as Roberts building its six-point halftime lead to 13.
"I thought she changed the game in the second half," Clifford said.
The Redhawks stayed hot in the fourth quarter, making three more three-pointers, and led by as many as 25 points.
Haverlock added nine rebounds while Neely-Primus and Johnson each made four steals. Danielle DiCintio led the Redhawks with five assists.
"I thought that we responded well today," Clifford said. "We are playing good team basketball right now. We're playing hard, playing smart and playing well."
The Redhawks open a four-game homestand against ECC rival Mercy College at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.