Rhode Island starters
Johanna Muzet, Marta Vargas, Yanni Hendley, Emmanuelle Tahane, Marie-Paule Foppossi

Penn State starters
Anna Camden, Makenna Marisa, Shay Hagans, Kelly Ekot, Johnasia Cash

How it Happened
Rhode Island battled back from a double-digit deficit, but lost 70-69 on a last-second layup at Penn State Thursday.

Rhody opened the game with a quick 11-4 lead in the first quarter after a 3-pointer from Marie-Paule Foppossi. The Rams defense held Penn State (3-0) to 2-8 from deep in the first period, however the Lady Lions used a 5-0 run to end the quarter up 18-17. 

Penn State continued that momentum into the second, building its lead to 28-17. Rhode Island (0-2) finally connected on a 3-pointer from Marta Vargas at 6:56, and a Catherine Cairns 3-ball capped a 12-2 run by the Rams to get within one (30-29). Johanna Muzet had the Rams in position to lead going into the half, making a 3-pointer to put Rhody on top 32-31 with a minute to go. But Shay Hagans completed a classic three-point play with seconds remaining to send Penn State into the locker room up 34-32.

The third and fourth period were back and forth, and a big 3-pointer by Yanni Hendley tied it at 40 with 7:09 left in the third. Cairns drew a foul on a good 3-pointer to complete the four-point play and gave the Rams their first lead (67-66) since the first quarter with 1:28 remaining in the fourth. 

Penn State answered with a successful trip to the free throw line by Kelly Jekot made it 68-67. Marta Vargas drove to the basket with a layup to put the Rams up one with 3 seconds left, but Penn State's Makenna Marisa connected on a last second shot for the heartbreaking final 70-69.

Inside the Box Score

• Redshirt junior Emmanuelle Tahane had a career-high 17 points on 8-of-12 from the floor. She added six assists, six rebounds, and one steal.
• Grad transfer Johanna Muzet matched her career high with 12 points for the Rams. She filled her stat line with eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block.
• Freshman Catherine Cairns was the third Ram in double digits with a career-best 11 points. She added three rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes off the bench.
• Sophomore Yanni Hendley made her first career start. She added nine points.
• Redshirt sophomore Marie-Paule Foppossi scored seven points in the first two periods. Foppossi was limited in the second half of play due to injury.
• The Rams crashed the boards, holding the advantage in rebounds 34-27.
• Rhode Island struggled with turnovers, committing 17. Penn State took advantage, scoring 21 points off the miscues.

Up Next
The Rams visit Massachusetts next Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 2:00 p.m.