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

Loyola Chicago Starters
Fisher, Kika Hodge-Carr, Berg, Galanopoulos, Tanin

How It Happened
Loyola Chicago led from start to finish and then held off a furious late charge to hand Rhode Island its first Atlantic 10 loss, beating the Rams 61-56 Wednesday.

The Ramblers (8-7, 2-2 A-10) scored the first six points of the game and never relinquished the lead. Rhode Island (11-6, 3-1 A-10) struggled offensively in every phase, shooting 34.9 percent from the field, 20.8 percent from 3-point range and 53.8 percent at the free throw line.

Despite the struggles, URI nearly pulled a rabbit out of a hat. Down 59-50 with less than two minutes to go, Rhode Island scored six points in a 17-second span to get back in it. First, Teisha Hyman scored back-to-back layups off of steals in a five-second span, pulling Rhody within five points and forcing a Loyola timeout.

After the timeout, Sophie Phillips got a steal on the press and scored another layup to make it a one-possession game at 59-56 with 1:22 to go. URI forced another turnover with its press, forcing a 10-second violation. The next possession came up empty, but the defense again came up big with a stop for the Rams, getting possession again with 27 seconds to go.

Unfortunately the Rams could not score again, and Loyola was able to ice the game with a pair of Kira Chivers free throws with 10 seconds left, ending URI's five-game winning streak.

Inside the Box Score 

• Forward Hawa Komara made her first career start in place of Anaelle Dutat, who missed the game due to an NCAA compliance issue.
• Komara responded with a career-high six points to go with eight rebounds.
• Guard Teisha Hyman led Rhode Island with 17 points and added seven rebounds and seven steals.
• Forward Mayé Touré recorded her second double-double of the season with 13 points while matching her season-high of 11 rebounds.
• Guard Sophie Phillips had 12 points and three steals.
• Rhode Island turned 15 offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance points. The Rams limited Loyola Chicago had just six second-chance points.
• Loyola Chicago's bench outscored the URI bench, 27-1.

Up Next
Rhode Island is back on the road when it travels to Richmond Sunday, Jan. 14. The game will play to a national-television audience on CBSSN at 12 p.m.