Rhode Island Starters
Muzet, Foppossi, Hendley, Vargas, Tahane
 
Saint Joseph's Starters
Santarelli, Henderson, Sheehan, Jekot, Walkerk

How it Happened
Freshman Catherine Cairns scored five points in the final minute of overtime to lift Rhode Island to a 50-48 victory over Saint Joseph's Sunday afternoon.

The Rams (7-5, 7-2 Atlantic 10) led for most of the day against the visiting Hawks, but Saint Joseph's held Rhody to three points in the fourth quarter to chip away and force the extra period. With both sides struggling to score, Cairns drained a 3-pointer off a kickout from Emmanuelle Tahane with 54 seconds remaining to break a 44-44 tie.

Saint Joseph's (5-2, 3-2 A-10) responded with a layup from Katie Jekot, and the Hawks fouled Cairns on the ensuing inbounds play. She stepped to the line and made both shots, keeping the Rams in front by three points, 49-46, with 27 second to go.

The Hawks again trimmed the led to one point when Gabby Smalls hit a layup with 19 seconds on the clock. Rhode Island managed to run eight seconds off before Marie-Paule Foppossi was fouled. She made 1-of-2 at the line, giving the Hawks a chance to win on their final possession.

However, URI's Johanna Muzet played tough defense on Alayna Gribble, forcing the sharp-shooter's last-gasp attempt from 3-pointer range to fall well short at the buzzer.

With the victory, Rhode Island moved into a tie for second place in the A-10 standings with Richmond, which defeated George Mason earlier in the day. Rhody beat the Spiders head-to-head on Jan. 15.

Inside the Box Score

• Redshirt sophomore Marie-Paule Foppossi had a game-high 19 points, her second straight game with 19. It also is her career high. 
• Redshirt junior Emmanuelle Tahane was just shy of her sixth straight double-double, grabbing a career-high 16 boards to go with nine points. Nine of the rebounds were on the offensive glass. 
• Grad transfer Johanna Muzet had a career-best 13 rebounds. She added three points and two steals. 
• Freshman Catherine Cairns scored eight points. Five of those points came in the overtime period. 
• Rhode Island dominated the glass, out rebounding Saint Joseph's 44-35. 
• The Rams held the Hawks to just 2-of-11 from deep. Rhody struggled as well from long range, connecting on just 4-of-27.
• The 18 points for Saint Joseph's in the first half were the fewest by a Rhode Island opponent in a half this season.
• The Hawks came into the game averaging a league-best 70.3 points per game. Rhody held Saint Joseph's 22 points below its average.

Up Next
The Rams continue their home stretch this Friday, hosting George Mason on at 4:00 p.m. on Cox/YurView and ESPN+.