Rhode Island Starters
Williams, Foppossi, Vargas, Elmore, Tahane

Boston University Starters
Giannaros, Weimar, Pina, Esposito, Durant

How it Happened
Rhode Island withstood an extended scoring drought to knock off Boston University for its third straight win, 54-44, Sunday afternoon.

The Rams (10-3) led by as many as 20 points in the third quarter, but then went scoreless for more than 12 minutes as the visiting Terriers made a late push. Emmanuelle Tahane scored five points in the final 2:25 to make sure Rhody held on for the win.

The game was tightly contested midway through the second quarter. BU (4-6) took a 17-16 lead on a Maren Durant jumper with 6:16 to go in the half. From there, Rhode Island went on a 15-4 run to end the half. Marta Vargas sparked the run with back-to-back 3-pointers, helping the Rams carry a 31-21 lead into the break.

The Terriers scored the first basket of the third quarter when Maggie Pina hit a jumper to pull BU (4-6) within eight points. Rhode Island ran off 12 straight points, including four each from Vargas and Emmanuelle Tahane. The lead got to as many as 20 points after a pair of Chanell Williams free throws made the score 43-23 with 3:58 to go in the third period.

Just when it looked like URI would run away with the game, Boston University fought its way back in. BU scored the final six points of the third quarter, then it had the first 10 points of the fourth quarter, all from Durant and Kelsi Mingo. Mingo hit two 3-pointers and Durant hit a pair of free throws to get BU within four points at 43-39.

After a URI turnover, Durant made it a one-possession game with a layup to make the score 43-41. URI turned it over again with a shot-clock violation, but after a defensive stop, Tahane hit a jumper in the lane for URI's first points of the quarter with 2:25 to go. Chanell Williams then found Dez Elmore for a fast-break layup before a Mingo 3-pointer made it a three-point game at 47-44.

Tahane hit a layup and then a free throw to push the lead to 50-44. Williams and Dolly Cairns each hit a pair of free throws in the final 18 seconds to help the Rams ice the win.
Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island is 10-3 for just the third time in program history. The previous times came in 1994-95 and 1993-94.
• The Rams were once again stingy on defense, limiting Boston University to 44 points. Entering the game, URI was 25th in the country, allowing just 53.2 points per game.
• It was the seventh time this season the Rams held an opponent to less than 50 points.
• Redshirt senior Emmanuelle Tahane had her fifth double-double, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds. She also had two blocks and two steals.
• Graduate student Marta Vargas broke out of a slump in a big way, scoring 10 points. Vargas had been scoreless over the last five games.
• Sophomore Mayé Touré had six rebounds, two blocked shots and two points off the bench.
• Gradutae student Dez Elmore returned after missing two games and had seven points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots.
• Gradiuate senior Chanell Williams had six points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
• Rhode Island had a 34-12 advantage in the paint and a 14-2 edge on the break.
• This was Rhode Island's third straight win over BU in the all-time series. 

Up Next
The Rams are off until New Year's Day, when URI hosts Dayton in the Atlantic 10 Conference opener. Game time is 1 p.m.