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

George Mason Starters
Doster, Smith, Mitchell, Suarez, Habib

How It Happened
In a slugfest that had a postseason feel, Rhode Island knocked off George Mason 70-68 in a battle between Atlantic 10 powerhouses Tuesday. The Rams (10-5, 2-0 A-10) won their fourth straight game.

George Mason capitalized on sloppy play by the Rams to build an eight-point lead by the end of the first quarter. The Patriots (10-3, 1-1 A-10) ended the period on an 11-0 run as Rhody turned the ball over four times and was held scoreless over the final 3:55 of the quarter. By the time Kennedy Harris drained a 3-pointer in the closing seconds, George Mason was ahead, 17-9.

Rhode Island bounced back in the second quarter, spurred by a technical foul on George Mason's Taylor Jameson. The Patriots got a hoop-and-harm basket from Zahirah Walton that helped George Mason go up 29-21. However, in the aftermath of the play, Jameson was whistled for the technical, giving Rhode Island two free throws and the ball.

Teisha Hyman hit both free throws, Ines Debroise hit back-to-back driving layups and Mayé Touré scored off an assist from Sophie Phillips as part of an 8-0 run that tied the game. After a George Mason basket, Phillips drained a 3-pointer to put the Rams up, 32-31. The Rams took a 34-32 edge into the half after Debroise sank a pair of free throws in the final minute to cap the scoring.

The third quarter was George Mason's turn to hit first. Sonia Smith scored four straight points to key a 6-0 run that put the Patriots ahead 46-40 midway through the period. The visitors held the lead for the remainder of the period, but Rhody closed the gap as Debroise and Davis combined for three free throws over the final 70 seconds to set up the fourth quarter with George Mason ahead, 51-49.

Phillips scored the first points of the fourth with a baseline drive to tie the game. Following a Touré steal, Anaelle Dutat scored on a second-chance putback as the Rams moved in front, 53-51. Rhody's defense then forced a shot clock violation to force the guests to call a timeout. Out of the timeout, George Mason scored seven straight points to reclaim momentum. Jameson scored the final five points of the run, forcing URI to call a timeout of its own.

Phillips hit a 3-pointer and Debroise got a steal and eventual layup for a quick 5-0 run that knotted the score at 58-58. After George Mason went up by two on a Jameson layup with 5:12 to go, the game featured five lead changes and a tie over the next 4:39. Phillips put the Rams up by four at 68-64 with 1:22 left, but the Patriots scored the next four points, tying the game on a pair of free throws by Jazmyn Doster with 33 seconds to go.

Rhody held until Hyman drove the lane with less than 10 seconds to go. She drew a foul and sank both free throws, putting Rhode Island ahead 70-68 with 7.7 second on the clock. George Mason called timeout to set up the final possession, but Phillips came up with a steal on the inbounds play to secure the victory for the Rams.

Inside the Box Score 

• Sophomore Ines Debroise played one of the best games her her career, scoring nine points, matching her career high with five rebounds and adding two assists, two steals and one blocked shot.
• Debroise also drew multiple offensive fouls and forced several of the 18 turnovers by George Mason.
• Guard Sophie Phillips scored a game-high 22 points, most of which came on 6-of-9 shooting from the perimeter.
• It was the ninth time this season Phillips has made at least three 3-pointers. She has made 20 from long range over her last four games.
• Guard Teisha Hyman had 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
• Guard Dee Dee Davis had 11 points and three assists.
• Forward Mayé Touré had 11 points, six rebounds and two steals before fouling out.
• Rhode Island committed six turnovers in first quarter that led to seven points for George Mason. Over the final three quarters, the Rams had just seven turnovers combined.
• The Rams scored 21 points off of 18 George Mason turnovers.

Up Next
Rhode Island stays home to host St. Bonaventure on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. The game will stream on ESPN+.