Feb. 9, 2008

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - Three different Rams scored in double figures as the Rhode Island women's basketball team cruised to a 75-64 victory over Atlantic 10 rival Massachusetts, Saturday afternoon at the Ryan Center. URI shot a season-high 55.1% from the field while out-rebounding the Minutewomen by a 29-23 margin.

UMass' Pam Rosanio scored the game's first basket but Rhody responded with a 15-6 run over the next five minutes to take a seven point lead (15-8) lead with 14:48 to go. The Minutewomen followed with a 12-0 push to go up by five - their largest lead of the game - with 9:07 left on the clock. Senior Safi Mojidi (Silver Spring, Md.) then evened the score at 25-25 and redshirt junior Crystal Bellinger (New York, N.Y.) followed with two successful free throws to put the Rams up for good with 2:23 remaining.

For the half, Rhode Island shot a season-high 57.1% (12-21) from the field.

The Rams had increased their lead to 13 (47-34) three minutes into the second frame but UMass made seven free throws amidst a 12-2 run to get within three (49-46) with 12:18 on the clock. Bellinger and junior Amanda McGrew (Santa Monica, Calif.) then combined for 11 points over the next five minutes to put Rhody back on top by 12 points (60-48).

UMass' Kate Mills went on to score six of her game-high 24 points down the stretch but URI held on for the 75-64 victory.

For the game, Mojidi (18), Bellinger (17) and McGrew (17) all finished with double-digit point totals. Bellinger also dished out a game-high seven assists and four steals while junior Ebony Evans (Washington, D.C.) led the team on the glass with a career-best six rebounds.

With the victory, Rhody improves to 11-12 (4-4 A-10) while UMass moves to 11-12 and 3-5 in the conference.

The Rams are back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 13 when they travel to Richmond for a 12 p.m. game against the Spiders.