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

Richmond Starters
Newell, Dewey, Sweeney, Ullstrom, Doogan

How it Happened
Rhode Island opened fast and never relinquished its lead, knocking off Richmond 73-61 for a key Atlantic 10 victory Tuesday night. The Rams (11-2, 2-0 Atlantic 10) scored the first seven points of the night and then held off several surges by the Spiders (11-4, 1-1 A-10) for a big conference victory.

Palmire Mbu got Rhode Island off to a hot start, scoring the game's first five points. She opened with a 3-pointer and added a jumper to key a 7-0 run for the Rams. She finished the quarter with 10 points. Much of the Rhody offense was sparked by the defense, as URI scored nine points off five Richmond turnovers in the opening 10 minutes. A 3-pointer by Ally Sweeney in the closing seconds pulled the Spiders within 18-13 heading into the second quarter.

With Sophia Vital providing constant ball pressure, the defense continued to make life miserable for Richmond. Vital had three steals and URI forced six more turnovers in the second quarter, helping the Rams build their lead to as many as 13 points. Vanessa Harris scored six points in the period to give Rhode Island a boost off the bench. Richmond managed to limit leading scorer Maggie Doogan, as she scored eight points in the period. Her 3-pointer with four seconds left in the half trimmed URI's lead to seven points (36-29) at the break.

Richmond managed to get within four points at 39-35, but Ines Debroise drained a 3-pointer. Moments later she hit a runner in the lane to get the lead back to seven points at 44-37. Maggie Doogan responded with a 3-pointer to again get the Spiders within four points, leading to a Rhody timeout. URI's ensuing possession was empty, as a shot clock violation gave Richmond the ball. A Tierra Simon layup made it a one-possession game, and the Spiders got a steal for a chance to tie. Rhody's defense got a stop followed by a Palmire Mbu turnaround jumper on the baseline. Another basket by Simon made the score 46-44 as the back-and-forth continued. Neither side scored over the final minute of the third, sending Rhody into the last quarter with a two-point lead.

Palmire Mbu opened the fourth quarter with a corner 3-pointer, and after a defensive stop, Sophia Vital drove the lane for a layup to push the URI lead to 51-44. After a Richmond basket, Brooklyn Gray hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Moments later Valentina Ojeda hit another 3-pointer to extend the lead to 57-48. Sophia Vital's fourth steal led to a coast-to-coast layup that pushed the Rhody lead back to double figures at 61-50.

From there, the Rhody lead never dipped below seven points again. Brooklyn Gray and Vanessa Harris combined for a trio of 3-pointers as the Rams kept Richmond at bay down the stretch.

Inside the Box Score

• Defense forced 15 total turnovers, including 11 that led to 18 points in the first half.
• Despite the high-pressure defense, Rhode Island committed just five first-half fouls, limiting Richmond to just one free throw attempt.
• For the game, Rhody had a 25-7 edge in points off turnovers.
• Palmire Mbu reached double digits for the ninth time this season, finishing with a team-high 19 points.
• She had 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the first half.
• Sophia Vital scored a season-high 14 points to go with seven rebounds, five steals and five assists.
• The seven rebounds and five steals both matched her career highs.
• Brooklyn Gray scored 14 points while shooting 4-of-6 from the arc.
• Vanessa Harris added 12 points, six rebounds and two assists off the bench.
• Ines Debroise finished with eight points, four rebounds and three assists.
• Albina Syla chipped in nine rebounds, three points and two blocked shots.
• Richmond's Maggie Doogan - the Atlantic 10's leading scorer - finished with a game-high 26 points and seven rebounds.
• Rhode Island had just eight turnovers, the fourth time this season the Rams have been in single digits.
• URI had 11 3-pointers, the second time this season it has had 10 or more in a game. The other time was against Division III Emmanuel on Nov. 10.

Up Next
Rhode Island hits the road to visit Loyola Chicago Saturday, Jan. 3. The game streams on ESPN+ and the Varsity Network. at 8 p.m. EST.