Feb. 24, 2008
Box Score
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Junior Amanda McGrew (Santa Monica, Calif.) scored a team high 18 points and senior Safi Mojidi (Silver Spring, Md.) added 15 as the Rhode Island women's basketball team edged Charlotte, 65-63, Sunday afternoon the Dale F. Harlton Arena in Charlotte, N.C. Junior Sierra Cooper (Blairs, Va.) rounded out the double-figure scoring for the Rams with 12 points.
Charlotte (16-12, 7-5 Atlantic 10) jumped out to an early 9-0 lead over the first minute and a half and led by 11 (14-3) with 17:02 to go in the half. The two teams traded baskets over the next ten minutes with the 49ers leading by seven or more until taking their largest advantage of the game (12 points, 27-15) with 6:09 left on the clock.
The Rhody defense then shut down Charlotte's attack and the Rams closed out the half with a 15-2 run which was capped by McGrew's go-ahead three-pointer with one second left on the clock.
After the break, Charlotte reclaimed the lead (36-35) on a three by Tracy Ray (16:36) and used an 18-10 run to take a nine-point lead with 6:12 left to play.
The Rams then used a 16-2 push to go up by five (61-56) with 42 seconds to play. A jumper by Erin Floyd and two Ray free throws cut URI's lead to one with 22 seconds remaining but Mojidi hit all four of her foul shots down the stretch to put the Rams back on top, 65-60 with three seconds left on the clock. On Charlotte's final possession, Ray connected on a fadeaway three-pointer - her fifth of the game - but it was too little, too late as Rhody held on for the 65-63 victory.
For the game, URI converted 27 Charlotte turnovers into 23 points and shot 93.8% (15-16) from the free throw line. The 49ers held the advantage on the boards (34-25) and were led by Ray's game-high 23 points.
With the win, Rhode Island (12-15, 5-7 Atlantic 10) becomes the only A-10 team to defeat the Niners at home this season and just the third team overall.
The Rams return to Ryan Center for their final home game of season - Senior Night - Wednesday night (Feb. 27) at 7 p.m.
