By: Hannah Lorusso
GoRhody.com Staff

Loyola Chicago Starters
Chandler, Galanopoulos, Brown, Tannin, Nolan

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

Rhode Island jumped out early and never relinquished the lead, beating Atlantic 10 newcomer Loyola Chicago 63-24 Sunday afternoon. The win extended URI's conference winning streak to five games.

Dolly Cairns opened the first quarter for the Rams (14-3, 5-0 A-10) with a successful jumper 20 seconds into the game. Madison Hattix-Covington followed with a 3-pointer as Rhody scored the first five points of the game. Loyola (6-12, 1-4 A-10) was held scoreless until 6:33 when Emma Nolan scored a lay up. By the end of the first quarter, URI had built a 17-9 edge by limited the Ramblers to 28.6 percent (4-of-14) from the field.

The defensive effort continued in the second quarter, as Rhode Island held Loyola to 2-of-15 from the field. URI got hot from the outside, shooting 4-of-6 from the arc as Cairns, Sayawni Lassiter, Ines Debroise and Emmi Rinat all connected from long range. By halftime, the Rams led 35-13.

The result was never in doubt, as Rhody coasted to its fifth straight victory, improving to 9-0 at the Ryan Center.

Inside the Box Score

• Eleven of the 12 Rhode Island players who appeared in the game scored.
• Rhody limited Loyola Chicago to 13 points in the first half, the fewest for any opponent in any half this season.
• URI outrebounded the Ramblers 56-32.
• The visiting Ramblers did not score any second-chance points, as Rhode Island had a 20-0 edge in the category.
• Junior Mayé Touré recorded her sixth straight double-double, finishing with 12 points and a career-high 15 rebounds.
• She added three blocked shots on the defensive end.
• Sophomore Sophie Phillips had 12 points off the bench.
• Junior Dolly Cairns was the third Ram in double digits with 10 points in her return to the starting lineup.
• Point guards Sayawni Lassiter and Ines Debroise each had six assists. The dup combined for eight points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds while running the offense.
• Freshman Anaelle Dutat had 13 rebounds and redshirt freshman Hawa Komara added six boards.
• Graduate student Madison Hattix-Covington had eight points and six rebounds.  

What's Next
Rhode Island is back at the Ryan Center Wednesday, Jan. 18 when it hosts Richmond. Game time is 6 p.m. on ESPN+.