Rhode Island Starters
Cairns, Squires, Toure, Hattix-Covington, Lassiter

Harvard Starters
Forbes, Anderson, McCarthy, Turner, Mullaney

How it Happened
Harvard's Harmoni Turner poured in 31 points to spoil the Ram's season-opening night with a 88-74 loss. 

Rhody kept it close in the first period, as Emma Squires opened the game with a 3-pointer for her first points as a Ram. URI forced a shot clock violation with its stingy defense and ended the quarter down 15-13. The Crimson went on a 9-0 run in the second, pulling away 34-21 before the Rams called a timeout in an effort to stop the bleeding. Mayé Touré connected on back-to-back baskets and the Rams went into the break down 40-27.

Harvard built its lead to as much as 24 points in the third (71-47). But consecutive shots from deep by Sayawni Lassiter at the buzzer gave the Rams momentum going into the final 10 minutes of play. Harvard called a quick timeout in the fourth after Rhode Island opened the period with two straight buckets to cut the lead to 13. But the Crimson answered with a 7-0 run and the Rams could not rally back for the win.

Inside the Box Score

• Junior Mayé Touré led the Rams with a career-high 27 points on 11-of-14 from the floor. She added five rebounds and three assists in the start, while shooting 5-of-6 from the free throw line. 
• Junior Dolly Cairns added 12 points on 4-of-5 from the field. 
• Freshman Ines Debroise was the third Ram in double figures with 11 points. She went 3-of-4 from long range in her Rhody debut.
• Grad transfer Emma Squires had nine points and five rebounds.
• Harvard had three players pour in 20+ points, led by Harmoni Turner's 31 points. McKenzie Forbes (20) and Lola Mullaney (20) combined for 40 points for the Crimson.

Up Next
The Rams return home to face its second straight Ivy League opponent when they host Dartmouth Friday at the Ryan Center. Tip off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on The Varsity Network.