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

Massachusetts Starters
Rose, Williams, Bellamy, Taulelei, Kulesza

How It Happened
Sophie Phillips and Mayé Touré led the way as Rhode Island took care of business, beating Massachusetts 63-48 Saturday afternoon.

Phillips had 13 points and Touré added 15 points paired with eight rebounds as the Rams (14-8, 6-3 Atlantic 10) never trailed in the game.

Rhode Island opened with an 8-0 run and held UMass (3-18, 1-8 A-10) scoreless for nearly five minutes after the tip. The early scoring was balanced for URI, as the first six Rhode Island baskets were scored by six different players. Sophie Phillips scored five straight points in the final 1:39 of the opening quarter and finished with seven points in the period, helping Rhody to a 17-11 lead.

Rhody pushed its lead to as many as 10 points following an Anaelle Dutat jumper early in the second quarter that put URI up, 23-13. However, Massachusetts went on a 10-2 run that featured five points from Bre Bellamy to cut the lead to 25-23 at the midpoint of the quarter. A 3-pointer from Phillips slowed the momentum and Mayé Touré followed with a layup to get the Rhody lead back to seven. URI managed to take a five-point edge (32-27) into halftime.

UMass scored the first three points of the second half to get within two points after a Lilly Taulelei free throw 45 seconds into the half. From there, Rhode Island took over, holding the visitors scoreless for the next 5:03. Touré started a 9-0 run with back-to-back baskets. Dee Dee Davis hit a drive in the paint and was fouled. She converted the free throw, capping a quick 7-0 run that pushed the URI lead back to 39-30. A pair of Ines Debroise free throws extended the lead to 11, putting Rhode Island in total control.

The lead remained in double digits throughout the fourth quarter as Rhode Island cruised to its second straight win.
 
Inside the Box Score 

• All 10 Rhode Island players who saw the court scored.
• Rhode Island dominated the glass, outrebounding Massachusetts 36-26
• Guard Sophie Phillips scored 13 points, making three 3-pointers.
• She is one behind former teammate Dolly Cairns (2020-2023) for fifth place in program history. Cairns finished with 140 career for her career.
• Forward Mayé Touré had a game-high 15 points with eight rebounds.
• Touré was plus-22 for the game while Phillips was plus-21.
• Guard Dee Dee Davis had nine points, four assists and two steals.
• Forward Anaelle Dutat had six points and seven rebounds.
• Guard Teisha Hyman finished with eight points.
• Rhode Island had a 14-4 edge in second chance points.
• The game was the second straight in which the Rams held their opponent to 50 points or fewer.

Up Next
Rhode Island travels to George Washington Wednesday, Jan. 31 for a 6 p.m. contest. The game will stream in ESPN+.