Rhode Island Starters
Phillips, Komara, Dutat, Kaur, Debroise

UMass Lowell Starters
Kameric, Rice, Durant, Watkins, Gitchenko

How it Happened

Rhode Island used its biggest first-half scoring output of the season to build a big early lead while cruising to a road win at 81-35 UMass Lowell Wednesday.

The Rams (3-3) scored a season-best 45 points in the opening half. The outburst was spurred by a balanced attack that saw eight players score at least three points before the half. Palmire Mbu had nine, Sophie Phillips added eight and Ayanna Franks scored seven to lead the way.  

Rhode Island opened a nine-point lead at the end of the first quarter, using a 5-0 run in the closing seconds. A Phillips 3-pointer followed by a Franks layup pushed Rhody's lead to 19-10 heading into the second quarter.

An early push in the second quarter extended the Ram lead to 15 points at 28-13 following a basket by Palmire Mbu just two minutes into the period. Rhody continued to stretch the lead from there, carrying a 21-point lead into the break.

UMass Lowell (0-5) never challenged the Rams in the second half. The lead got up to 31 points after an Ines Debroise layup with 8:04 remaining, and Rhode Island cruised from there.

Inside the Box Score Box

• Six different Rams scored at least eight points.
• Senior Sophie Phillips scored a team-high 14 points and made three 3-pointers.
• Junior Ines Debroise had 11 points to go with five assists.
• Sophomore Sophia Vital had seven points and five assists off the bench.
• Freshman Ayanna Franks scored in double digits for the first time, scoring a career-high 13 points.
• Fellow freshman Palmire Mbu had nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.
• Junior Anaelle Dutat finished with eight points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
• Rhode Island had a 43-21 edge in rebounds, including a 18-4 advantage in offensive boards.
• UMass Lowell did not attempt a free throw in the first half. Rhody limited the River Hawks to just 3-of-5.

Up Next
Rhode Island hosts Brown for an in-state rivalry game Saturday, Nov. 23. Game time is 1 p.m. on ESPN+.