Jan. 4, 2011

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island junior Lara Gaspar recorded a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds as the Rams downed Dartmouth, 69-66, in double overtime Tuesday night at the Ryan Center.

The game marked URI's fourth consecutive overtime contest - which ties the NCAA Division I record, set by Wisconsin in 1999. The Rams have now played 50 extra minutes over five OT games so far this season.

Senior Caitlin Kearns finished with 11 boards for the Rams while classmate Megan Shoniker added 18 points. Kearns narrowly missed a double-double as she added nine points to go along with three steals and three blocks while Shoniker dished out a career-high eight assists.

As a team, Rhode Island outrebounded Dartmouth, 47-36, marking the 10th time this season that the Rams win the battle of the boards. Rhody also combined for a season-best 18 assists - five of which came from Gaspar, matching her career-high.

Rhode Island (6-8) outscored Dartmouth, 16-5, over the opening 7:27 to take its largest lead of the game (11 points) after a fastbreak layup by junior Sherrie Session. The Rams remained in front by eight or more - and led by 10 after a pair of free throws by freshman Kerry Wallack with less than three minutes on the clock - but Dartmouth closed out the frame with a pair of three-pointers to cut the Rams' lead to four (25-21) at the break.

The Big Green (4-10) battled their way back in the second half, eventually tying things up at 35-35 after a three-pointer by Louise VandenBosch with 13:25 left to play. VandenBosch went on to hit a pair of free throws to give Dartmouth its first lead of the game at 37-35.

A traditional three-point play by senior Caitlin Kearns then capped a 7-2 Rhody push to put the Rams back op top by three (42-39) with 8:26 remaining but the two teams traded baskets - as well as the lead - the rest of the way before Dartmouth's Cassie Cooper sank a buzzer beater to knot the score at 49-49 at the end of regulation.

Rhode Island never trailed in the first overtime period - and led by two with under a minute to go - but Cooper again tied things up with 17 seconds left on the clock. Rhode Island was unable to convert on its final possession, sending the game to double OT.

There, the Rams outscored Dartmouth 11-8 - including six points by Shoniker - to seal the 69-66 victory.

Faziah Steen (18), Janelle Ross (12) and Sasha Dosenko (10) all scored in in double figures for the Big Green. Dosenko also blacked a game-high five shots.

The Rams return to action on Saturday afternoon when they open up Atlantic 10 play at home against Massachusetts. Tip off at the Ryan Center is set for 2 p.m.