Rhode Island Starters
Muzet, Foppossi, Hendley, Vargas, Tahane
 
Richmond
Holt, Parson, Klimkiewicz, Budnik, Chapman
 
How it Happened
Rhode Island used it's long-range shooting to break open a close game and knock off Richmond, 70-56, Friday evening.

The Rams (10-7, 10-4 Atlantic 10) were 5-of-7 from 3-point range in the final quarter, turning a tied game into double-digit advantage.

Richmond (12-7, 9-5 A-10) scored the first seven points of the game. Rhody responded with a 7-0 run of its own, as Emmanuelle Tahane finally got Rhody on the board with a jumper at 6:45. She followed with a coast-to-coast layup, and Marie-Paule Foppossi hit a 3-pointer to tie the score for the Rams. The teams traded possession for the rest of the quarter, and the score was tied 12-12 after one period.

The Rams managed to get ahead by as many as five points in the second quarter following a Foppossi 3-pointer with 4:31 left in the half. However, Richmond ended the quarter on an 11-5 run to take a slight 29-28 lead into the break.

Richmond came out on fire to start the third quarter. The Spiders opened a nine-point lead just three minutes into the half when Claire Holt hit a layup and was fouled. Her free throw made the score 40-31, capping an 11-2 run. After the teams traded scores, Rhody went on a late run. Tahane started the run with back-to-back old-fashioned three-point plays, twice hitting second-chance layups and drawing the foul. A Foppossi layup got URI within one point, and after a Richmond free throw, Johanna Muzet hit a layup to tie the score, 47-47, heading to the final stanza.

The fourth quarter belonged to the sharp-shooting Rams. Catherine Cairns hit 3-pointers on Rhode Island's first two possessions. Muzet later hit a 3-pointer of her own. Cairns and Vargas hit late 3-pointers, extending the lead to double digits and allowing Rhody to cruise over the final couple minutes.

Inside the Box Score

• This is just the second time in program history Rhode Island has won 10 Atlantic 10 games in a season. The other time was when URI went 13-3 in 1995-96.
• Rhode Island was exceptional from the perimeter throughout. The Rams were 10-of-18 from 3-point range.
• The Rams also were 8-of-11 at the free throw line.
• Redshirt junior Emmanuelle Tahane had her ninth double-double, finishing with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
• Graduate senior Johanna Muzet flirted with a triple-double. She had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in an impressive all-around performance. She also had four steals and a blocked shot.
• Redshirt sophomore Marie-Paule Foppossi had 15 points, four rebounds and three assists.
• Freshman Catherine Cairns continued her hot shooting. She was the fourth Ram in double digits, scoring 14 points while hitting four 3-pointers.
• Rhode Island scored on 50 percent of its possessions, averaging 1.167 points per possession.
• Rhody outscored Richmond, 30-14, in the paint. 

Up Next
Rhode Island hosts VCU in the regular-season finale on Sunday, Feb. 28. Game time is 1 p.m. Prior to the game, the Rams will honor graduate senior Johanna Muzet in her last game at the Ryan Center.