Rhode Island Starters
Mbu, Syla, Gray, Vital, Debroise

Saint Joseph's Starters
Stokes, Snead, Jekot, Griffin, Stinson

How it Happened
Rhode Island opened conference play by earning a 59-52 road win over Saint Joseph's Wednesday night.

Rhody (7-2, 1-0 Atlantic 10) scored the first six points of the game and never trailed. After building a lead to as many as 14 points, URI withstood a second-half rally to secure the key Atlantic 10 victory. The Rams avenged the overtime loss to the Hawks (6-2, 0-1 A-10) that ended the 2024-25 season in the Atlantic 10 Championship last March.

A dominant second quarter allowed URI to build a double-digit lead behind the play Palmire Mbu. The forward scored nine of Rhode Island's 14 points in the period, outscoring the Hawks by three points on her own. By the time the teams got to the half, Mbu and the Rams owned a 30-18 lead.

The Hawks found their rhythm in the third quarter shooting 58.3 percent (7-of-12), including 2-for-4 from the perimeter. Rhian Stokes and Cecilia Kay combined for 15 points in the quarter to help Saint Joseph's pull within four points (43-39) by the end of the third.

A Kay layup opened the fourth-quarter scoring and made it a one-possession game for the first time since the opening minute of the game. Rhody responded with a Brooklyn Gray step-back 3-pointer and a steal and fastbreak layup by Sophia Vital to push the lead back to 48-41.

The surge continued for Saint Joseph's. Stokes hit a pull-up jumper and Aleah Snead sank a 3-pointer to make the score 48-46 midway through the period. The Hawks tied the game with just over four minutes to go when Cecilia Kay scored in the paint.

Needing a basket, Rhody turned to Brooklyn Gray, who hit a tough baseline runner. Ines Debroise got a steal on the ensuing possession and found Vanessa Harris for a jumper. Following another defensive stop, Palmire Mbu drained a second-chance 3-pointer, giving Rhode Island a seven-point lead with 35 seconds remaining.

From there, the Rams held on for the win.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island had a perfect day at the free throw line, shooting 13-for-13 as a team.
• The defense held Saint Joseph's to 28.0 percent (7-for-25) from the field in the first half, including 0-for-6 from the perimeter.
• The Hawks shot 50 percent (12-of-24) after halftime, including 3-of-8 from deep.
• The teams combined for 32 turnovers. Rhody scored 19 points off 18 Saint Joseph's turnovers, while the Hawks had 12 points off 14 URI miscues.
• Palmire Mbu had her second career 20-point game, scoring exactly 20 to go with six rebounds and four blocked shots.
• It was her seventh time scoring in double figures this season.
• Brooklyn Gray reached double digits for the sixth straight game, finishing with 12 points and eight boards.
• Ines Debroise and Vanessa Harris each chipped in nine points for the Rams.
• Debroise added four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Up Next
Rhode Island visits Maine for a non-conference game Sunday afternoon. The game tips at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.