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

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

How it Happened
For the second straight night, No. 6 Rhode Island used a strong second half to pull out a win, upsetting No. 3 Saint Joseph's 56-47 in the Atlantic 10 Championship quarterfinals Friday night.

Dee Dee Davis poured in 20 points to lead all scorers and URI (20-13) held Saint Joseph's (26-5) to 32.1 percent (17-of-53) from the floor – including a frustrating 5-for-23 from the arc.

Rhode Island set the tone early with a smothering defense to hold the Hawks to just 10 points in the opening quarter. Saint Joseph's was just 4-of-13 from the field – including 2-for-9 from the arc. Rhody also forced three turnovers, two of which were shot clock violations as URI prevented the Hawks from getting comfortable. Meanwhile, the Rams got five points from Ines Debroise and four from Dee Dee Davis as they opened an eight-point lead at the quarter's end.

The second quarter was all Saint Joseph's. The Hawks scored the first seven points and outscored URI 17-7 overall in the quarter. Laura Ziegler scored eight points in the period, outscoring URI on her own. Rhody was a dismal 3-of-13 from the field and 0-for-6 from long range, allowing the Hawks to take a 27-25 lead at halftime.

Rhode Island found its rhythm early in the third quarter, hitting four of its first five shots from the field. Davis had five points during a 9-4 run for the Rams that had them back in front 34-31 by the media timeout midway through the period. Rhody maintained its lead throughout the quarter, and a steal and fastbreak layup by Sophie Phillips in the closing seconds sent the Rams into the fourth quarter with a 42-37 lead.

Rhody never relinquished the lead, extending it to as many as eight in the final quarter. Saint Joseph's scored the first two points of the period on free throws by Ziegler, but Rhody's defense held the Hawks scoreless for a stretch of 4:10 as URI extended its lead to 50-42 following a Davis layup.

Despite not making a field goal over the final four minutes, Rhode Island held off the Hawks to advance to the tournament semifinals.

Inside the Box Score

• With the victory, head coach Tammi Reiss recorded her third straight 20-win season.
• In the 44 seasons before Reiss arrived, Rhode Island had two 20-win seasons combined.
• Three of the four games in the second round were upsets, as No. 5 Duquesne edged No. 4 George Mason 63-62, and No. 7 Saint Louis stunned No. 2 VCU 65-63.
• Top-seeded Richmond was the only favored team to advance, as it defeated No. 8 Loyola Chicago 70-54.
• Guard Dee Dee Davis just missed her second double-double in as many nights, finishing with 20 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
• Guard Ines Debroise had nine points and two rebounds.
• Forward Mayé Touré chipped in eight points and three boards.
• Forward Anaelle Dutat grabbed seven boards.
• Guard Sophie Phillips had five points. With her lone 3-pointer of the night she set a new program record for treys in a season with her 83rd make of the year.
• Rhode Island's bench played a huge role in the win. Center Tenin Magassa had six points, three rebounds and two blocks. Forward Hawa Komara had a plus-10 in 14 minutes, and guard Sophia Vital scored four points and had an assist in nine minutes.
• The Rams committed a season-low six turnovers in the win.
• The second half has been big for Rhode Island in its first two games of the championship. The Rams have outscored the opposition 72-46 after the break over the two games.

Up Next
Rhode Island will face No. 7 Saint Louis in the Atlantic 10 Championship semifinals. The game will air on national television on CBSSN Saturday at 1:30 p.m.  It is a chance for Rhode Island to avenge its semifinal loss to Saint Louis a year ago.