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

Saint Joseph's Starters
Brugler, Ziegler, Nystrom, Smith, Wlech

How It Happened
Another furious comeback came up short for Rhode Island as the Rams fell 51-48 to Saint Joseph's Sunday afternoon.

The Rams (12-8, 4-3 Atlantic 10) battled all the way back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game. However, Saint Joseph's (17-2, 6-1 A-10) did just enough down the stretch for the win.

A wild opening period saw Saint Joseph's open with a 9-4 run that forced URI head coach Tammi Reiss to call a timeout just four minutes into the game. Rhode Island responded with an 8-2 run that included a pair of Mayé Touré jumpers, the latter of which gave Rhody a 12-11 lead. The Hawks regained the momentum from there, closing the quarter on a 5-1 spurt to take a 16-13 lead heading into the second quarter.

Neither team had much going in the second quarter. However, Rhode Island went scoreless over the final 4:42 of the half, allowing Saint Joseph's to establish a modest 28-21 lead at the break.

Rhody's defense was strong coming out of the half, as the Rams held Saint Joseph's to eight points over the first 7:30 of the third. It allowed URI to cut the Hawks' lead to 36-32.

However, URI did not score over the final 4:38 of the third. Saint Joseph's ended the period on a 6-0 run, extending its lead to 42-32 heading into the fourth quarter. The 10-point deficit was Rhody's largest of the day to that point.

Teisha Hyman put URI on her back to start the fourth quarter. She scored seven points during a 10-0 run to open the quarter. Her 3-pointer tied the score at 42-42 with 5:28 to go.

Saint Joseph's used a 7-2 run to go back in front 49-44 when Mackenzie Smith hit a layup with 1:40 remaining. Rhody didn't go away, as Dee Dee Davis banked a jumper in the paint as the shot clock was winding down, trimming the deficit to three points with 56 seconds left.

Rhody got a turnover on the ensuing possession. A second-chance layup by Hyman made it a one-point game with 37 seconds to go. URI played defense straight up rather than fouling early. The Hawks' drew a shooting foul with nine seconds left and made both free throws.

Rhode Island had a final shot at the tie, but a 3-point attempt by Hyman was long, giving Saint Joseph's the win.

Inside the Box Score 

• This was the fourth straight game between Saint Joseph's and Rhode Island that has been decided by four points or less. The four-point game was a double-overtime affair.
• Rhode Island struggled from the perimeter, shooting 2-of-14 from long range.
• Guard Teisha Hyman had a team-high 16 points to go with four rebounds.
• Forward Mayé Touré just missed a double-double, finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds.
• Her sixth rebound was also Touré's 500th career board.
• Guard Dee Dee Davis was the third Ram in double digits, scoring 13 points.
• Guard Sophie Phillips had a career-high five assists.
• Guard Ines Debroise had five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
• Forward Hawa Komara had 10 rebounds, including six on the offensive end.
• The teams had a combined two bench points.

Up Next
Rhode Island travels to La Salle Wednesday, Jan. 24. The game will stream on ESPN+ starting at 11 a.m.