URI Women’s Hoops Defeats UMass, Sets Program Record With Ninth Straight Victory

Nick Coit,
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University of Rhode Island Press Release

Rhode Island Starters
Williams, Foppossi, Cairns, Elmore, Tahane

Massachusetts Starters
Taylor, Philoxy, Mayo, Ngalakulondi, Breen

How it Happened
Rhode Island set a new program record with its ninth consecutive victory as it never trailed in a dominating 60-46 win at Massachusetts Wednesday night.

Rhode Island (16-3, 6-0 Atlantic 10) built a six-point lead by the end of the first quarter through the strength of a stifling defense. The Rams held UMass to 1-of-11 to open the game, and the Minutewomen were just 4-of-18 overall in the opening 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Emmanuelle Tahane and Dolly Cairns combined for 11 points as URI led 17-11 at the close of the period.

UMass (15-5, 3-3 A-10) chipped away in the second quarter, getting within three points at 25-22 after a Sam Breen layup with 2:33 left in the half. Marie-Paule Foppossi pushed the lead back to nine by scoring six unanswered points before a Ber’Nyah Mayo layup just before the buzzer trimmed URI’s lead to 31-24 at the break.

The Rams established a double-digit lead thanks to a spurt of five straight points by Cairns that extended Rhody’s lead to 36-24 early in the third. The teams traded baskets throughout the period before URI ran off six straight to build the advantage to 15 at 50-35 heading into the final quarter.

Rhode Island pushed the lead to 19 following a pretty offensive set in which Chanell Williams split two defenders and fed Tahane in the paint. Tahane in turn found Foppossi under the basket for a wide open layup, making the score 54-35 and forcing a UMass timeout with 7:42 to go. The Rams kept the pressure on, scoring the first eight points of the quarter and holding UMass scoreless for the first 6:15 of the period.

By the time UMass scored with 3:45 remaining, the lead was 20 points. A late spurt for the Minutewomen trimmed the lead to 14 points in the final moments, but the end result was never in doubt.

Inside the Box Score

  • Rhode Island completed the season sweep of Massacchusetts and kept pace with Dayton atop the Atlantic 10 standings. The Rams and Flyers are both 6-0 and two games ahead of the rest of the conference..
  • The last time Rhode Island beat Massachusetts twice in the same season was the 2004-05 season.
  • This was the 10th time in 19 games Rhode Island has held its opponent to less than 50 points. It was also the 18th opponent in 19 games held under 60 points.
  • Four players scored in double figures for Rhode Island, as Emmanuelle Tahane, Dolly Cairns, Marie-Paule Foppossi and Dez Elmore combined for 56 of URI’s 60 points.
  • Redshirt senior Emmanuelle Tahane led the offense with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists.
  • She had 12 of her points in the first half.
  • Redshirt junior Marie-Paule Foppossi added 14 points, five boards and three assists.
  • Sophomore Dolly Cairns also had 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
  • Graduate transfer Dez Elmore had 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
  • Graduate transfer Chanell Williams matched her career-high with eight rebounds.
  • It was the eighth time this season the 5-5 Williams had at least five rebounds.
  • The Rams dominated the glass, outrebounding Massachusetts 35-27.
  • Rhode Island scored 16 points off 13 UMass turnovers. URI had eight points off turnovers in each half.
  • The Rams had 18 assists on 24 field goals. Five different players had multiple assists.

Up Next
The Rams will be back in action Sunday when it hosts VCU. The nationally-televised game will air on CBSSN with a 12:05 p.m. tip.

Categories: College Sports, Sports

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