KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rams return to the Ryan Center to open up the 2012 portion of their schedule with a Jan. 4 game against in-state rival Brown.
RHODE ISLAND vs. BROWN
Rhody is 22-9 in the all-time series vs. the Bears, winning four of the last five - and seven of the last ten - meetings between the teams. Earlier this season, URI fell to Brown, 66-54, in Providence. In that game, Emilie Cloutier scored a career-high 17 points and the Rams combined for a season-best 18 makes from the foul line but committed 25 turnovers which led to nearly half (30) of the Bears' 66 points.
COACH INGLESE vs. BROWN
Over her 24+ years as a head coach, Cathy Inglese has compiled a 4-1 record against Brown, going 1-0 at Vermont, 1-0 at Boston College and 2-1 at URI.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
Brown enters the contest riding a five-game win streak, dating back to its Dec. 3 victory over Rhode Island at the Brown Bear Classic. Overall the Bears is 8-4, having won seven if its last eight games including a pair of wins at Dominican (Dec. 29) and San Jose State (Dec. 31). Brown is led by a pair of players averaging double figures: Sheila Dixon (14.0 ppg/6.0 rpg) and Hannah Passafuime (13.6 ppg/5.4 rpg). Passafuime also leads the team with 32 assists while Dixon has a team-best 25 steals and five blocks. Collectively, Brown is shooting 38.9% (262-674) from the field while averaging 37.6 rebounds per game.
LAST TIME OUT: JAMES MADISON 77, RHODE ISLAND 42
- With the loss, Rhode Island drops to 1-13 while James Madison improves to 8-3. The 1-13 start marks Rhody's slowest start to a season since 1999-2000 when the team opened with 16 consecutive losses.
- URI shot 34% on the night, netting 16-of-47 attempts, while JMU connected at a 42.6% (29-68) clip.
- The Dukes held a 48-26 rebounding advantage, including a 21-7 edge on the offensive glass.
- The Rams turned the ball over 22 times, which led to 26 JMU points.
- James Madison also outscored URI in the paint, 36-18, while hitting 15-of-18 attempts from the free throw line, compared to Rhody's 8-for-16 showing.
- Rhode Island trailed by 34 at the break (40-16) but was only outscored by 11 (37-26) over the second 20 minutes of play.
- Rhode Island never led in the game.Cloutier paced the Rams with 15 points and six rebounds.
- Rivera also scored in double figures with 12 points, earning Christmas City Classic All-Tournament honors for her combined performance against both Lehigh and JMU.
- Gill (18), Hislop (13) Burkholder (11) and Whitehurst (10) all scored in double figures for the Dukes.
