Rhode Island Starters
Phillips, Hyman, Dutat, Touré, Davis

Saint Louis Starters
McMakin, Calhoun, Martinez, Kennedy, Gray

How it Happened
Rhode Island used a huge second half and a career day from Anaelle Dutat to survive its Atlantic 10 opener, winning at Saint Louis 63-58 Saturday night.

Dutat set career highs with 13 points and 15 rebounds to lift URI (9-5, 1-0 A-10) to its third straight victory. She had seven points and 11 boards in the second half alone to give the Rams a much-needed spark.

An ugly display of basketball all around led to Saint Louis (5-9, 0-1 A-10) holding a 30-22 lead at the half. The teams combined for 25 turnovers – 15 by Rhode Island – and were a combined 20-for-55 from the field, including 2-for-18 from 3-point range. The half ended with the two sides combining to go 2-for-17 from the field over the final six minutes as both teams went to the locker room in search of some rhythm.

Coming out of the break, it was all Rhode Island, as the Rams began the third on a 15-1 run. Teisha Hyman started things off with a layup made possible by a sealed-off lane provided by Mayé Touré. Dee Dee Davis followed with 1-of-2 at the line after drawing a foul, and Sophie Phillips drained a 3-pointer off an assist from Anaelle Dutat. After a Saint Louis free throw, Hyman hit a jumper and Davis followed with a layup to put URI in front for the first time, 32-31. Dutat was fouled after grabbing an offensive rebound and made two free throws before Phillips made her second trey of the quarter to give Rhode Island a 37-31 lead.

Kyla Mcmakin got Saint Louis its first field goal at the 6:20 mark of the third before Touré went down with an injury on URI's ensuing possession. Her sub, Sophie Sene scored a second-chance basket seconds after entering the game to put Rhode Island up 39-33. However, with Touré out, the Billikens used an 11-3 run to pull back in front 44-42. Rhode Island managed to get the final blow in. Dutat made 1-of-2 at the line after grabbing an offensive board, and Phillips made yet another 3-pointer off a feed from Hyman to send the Rams into the final quarter with a 46-44 lead.

The Rams scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter, taking a 54-44 lead after a Dutat jumper with 6:29 to go. From there, Saint Louis chipped away, eventually making it a two-point game on a pair of Brooklyn Gray free throws with 44 seconds to go. Holding a precarious 60-68 lead, Rhode Island's Hyman hit a dead spot on the rim and dropped a turnaround jumper into the basket with 17 seconds to go to provide some cushion. A defensive stop and big rebound in traffic by Sene essentially secured the victory for the Rams.

Inside the Box Score 

• After committing 15 first-half turnovers, Rhode Island had just four after the break.
• Anaelle Dutat's career night resulted in her second career double-double, both of which have come in the last four games. She ended the night with 13 points, 15 rebounds, three steals and one assist.
• Dutat has 52 rebounds over her last four games, reaching double digits in each of the four contests.
• Dutat was 4-of-6 from the floor and 5-of-6 at the line.
• Of her 15 rebounds, 11 came on the offensive glass.
• Sophie Phillips led all scorers with 17 points.
• She has made 14 3-point baskets over her last three games.
• Mayé Touré had eight points and nine rebounds before leaving the game with an injury in the third quarter.
• Teisha Hyman had 12 points, all in the second half.

Up Next
Rhode Island comes home for its next two games. The Rams host George Mason on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. and then welcomes St. Bonaventure to the Ryan Center on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. Both contests will stream on ESPN+.