Linda Ulasi is an emerging player for Monroe

Monroe WBB boosts confidence in Rhode Island

Written By: Talk of the Sound News

On Thursday in a home game at the MAC, they defeated Harcum, 87-79. On Saturday Monroe ran roughshod over Mercer, 86-30 and on Sunday they took care of host CCRI, 82-53.

“I expected that we would win up there,” said Coach James Robinson, Jr. “Those teams don’t really have the numbers to compete with our depth. More importantly, those games gave me a chance to work with our big people and get them aligned with the kind of pressing and trapping defenses we like to play. I was very pleased with the results.”

In order to qualify for their twelfth straight national tournament in 2015, the Mustangs are going to need a mobile, effective front line and so Coach Robb used different combinations up front, in an effort to raise their level of comfort and coordination with each other.

“I thought Linda Ulasi and Troniqua Black played very well together,” he said, “and that’s going to be real important for us.”

Ulasi, a 6’1″ sophomore, had some game against CCRI. She hit a double/double, 11 points and 11 rebounds (three offensive), and was 5/8 from the field.

In the win over Mercer freshman guard Shania Johnson had 19 points, three assists, and three steals.

In the Harcum game, sohpomore standout Breana Bey logged 34 points, more than another Mustang has had in a game this season. Her consistency and reliability has been a vital component to the Mustangs.

“Because other things were working well, I was able to give her an easier time this weekend, especially after she worked so hard in the Harcum game,” the coach said. “But we will need all hands on deck for what’s upcoming. Burlington, Lackawana, and Union, who beat us earlier this season, are all in our district and they’re all good. These next games are going to be a challenge and we’re looking forward to it.”