Box Score Rhode Island Starters
Phillips, Magassa, Hyman, Touré, Davis

Youngstown State Starters
Magestro, Jarrells, Kirby, Shy, Saunders
 
How it Happened
The sharp shooting of Sophie Phillips combined with a stout defensive effort allowed Rhode Island to roll past Youngstown State 63-50 in the opening round of the Las Vegas Holiday Classic Friday.

Phillips scored a career-high 23 points while hitting a season-high five 3-point shots. Meanwhile, the defense allowed exactly 10 points in each of the first three quarters as the Rams (4-2) steadily built their lead.

Rhode Island ended the first quarter on a 10-0 run over the final 3:59 that helped the Rams take an 18-10 lead into the second period. Teisha Hyman scored a second-chance layup to start the run. Tenin Magassa, Dee Dee Davis and Sophie Phillips all scored during the run. Youngstown State (2-3) missed its final six shots of the quarter as URI built its lead.

Phillips stayed hot in the second quarter, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers as the Rams got their lead to 24-12 by the 7:37 mark. The second trey was matched by Youngstown State's Dena Jarrells to get the lead down to nine points before both sides hit a dry spell. Neither team scored for more than three minutes before Mayé Touré converted a hoop-and-harm three-point play with 4:04 to go in the half to once again give URI a 12-point lead, 27-15. The Rhode Island defense did not allow a field goal over the final 7:11 of the half as URI took a 31-20 lead into the break.

Youngstown State managed to pull within eight points on a layup by Paige Shy with 6:21 to go in the third. However, Phillips made two straight 3-pointers to push the lead back to 14 points. Rhode Island never let the advantage dip into single digits the rest of the way.

The Penguins did manage to get the score to 49-39, but Rhode Island went on an 8-0 run to stretch its lead to 17 points with less than five minutes to go. This allowed the Rams to cruise to the win.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Guard Sophie Phillips scored her 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field, including 5-for-9 from 3-point range.
• This was the third time in six games Phillips has made at least three 3-pointers. It was the 16th time with three or more in her career.
• After starting the season 4-of-24 from long range, Phillips is 11-for-24 over the last three contests.
• Forward Mayé Touré had 16 points and seven rebounds. It was her fifth time in six games scoring at least 15 points.
• Center Tenin Magassa had seven points, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
• Guard Teisha Hyman grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds to go with four points and two steals.
• Rhode Island held Youngstown State to 6-for-21 (29 percent) in the first half. The Penguins shot just 36.0 percent (18-of-50) overall.
• The Rams had a 19-5 edge in points off turnovers in the first half, and a 25-15 advantage for the game.
• URI outrebounded Youngstown State 39-28.

 Up Next
The Rams will play Portland on Saturday as part of the Las Vegas Holiday Classic. Game time is 3 p.m.