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

Duquesne Starters
McConnell, Bernard, Hamilton, Myers, Johnson

How it Happened
A short-handed Rhode Island squad struggled in the second and fourth quarters in a 70-61 loss at Duquesne Saturday afternoon.

The Rams (15-9, 7-4 Atlantic 10) played without guard Teisha Hyman and lost point guard Ines Debroise to injury less than a minute into the game. A thinned out backcourt led to a stagnant offense at time. After the teams were tied at 15-15 following the first quarter, Duquesne (12-9, 8-3 A-10) outscored Rhody 13-6 in the second quarter.

It was back-and-forth action in the third quarter, as the teams combined for 47 points. A Tenin Magassa basket with seven seconds to in the quarter cut got the Rams within five at 49-44, but that was as close as Rhode Island could get until the final minute of the game.

Duquesne kept the Rams at an arm's length in the final quarter. Megan McConnell hit a layup to make the score 64-50 with 6:31 to go. Rhody made a final push in the closing minutes. Dee Dee Davis made three 3-point baskets to score all nine points in a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 64-61 with 47 seconds to go.

The Rams could not complete the comeback, as Duquesne scored the final six points to ice the victory. 

Inside the Box Score

• Guard Dee Dee Davis led the Rams in scoring with 19 points and was just shy of a double-double, turning in nine boards.
• Forward Mayé Touré joined her in the double-digits with 13 points and added eight rebounds. 
• Center Tenin Magassa contributed a game-high three blocks and has now had three or more in seven different outings. Each of her six boards were corralled on the offensive end of the floor and she poured in eight points.
• Both teams shot it fairly well from the charity stripe, as the Rams hit 10-of-14 and the Dukes were 12-of-17. 
• Rhode Island and Duquesne were evenly matched in points in the paint (32), turnovers (14) and steals (seven). 
• The Rams had the overall advantage on the glass at 45-33.
• Rhody's largest lead of the game was its initial 7-0 run to start off the contest. In total, Duquesne had the advantage for 28:15. 

Up Next
Rhode Island returns home to host Richmond for Pride Night on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The game will stream on ESPN+ at 6 p.m.