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

Massachusetts Starters 
Odenigbo, McKayle, Olbrys, Palmieri, Kulesza

How it Happened
Despite its lowest scoring output of the season, Rhode Island defeated Massachusetts for a 42-40 win Sunday afternoon.

Clinging to a one-point lead with 16 seconds to go, the Rams (16-13, 11-5 Atlantic 10) needed to make a defensive stand. Sophie Phillips forced a turnover as Yahmani McKayle tried to work her way to the basket. URI took possession with four seconds to go, and Ines Debroise was fouled on the ensuing possession. She made 1-of-2 at the line, and UMass (15-14, 10-6 A-10) was unable to convert on its desperation heave.

In a game that featured a glacial pace of scoring, the lead changed three times in the final three minutes. Rhode Island took a 39-38 lead with a Sophie Phillips corner 3-pointer with just over three minutes to go. UMass retook the lead when Megan Olbrys scored in the paint on the next possession.

The back-and-forth continued when Anaelle Dutat made two free throws with 1:54 to go, making the score 41-40. Neither side made another field goal and the Rams won for the fifth time in six games.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island was held below 50 points for the fifth time this season. This was the first victory.
• The teams combined to shoot 32-for-98 from the field.
• Rhode Island was 7-for-15 from 3-point range, and 7-for-29 inside the perimeter.
• The Rams did not attempt a free throw in the first half. They finished the game 7-for-12 at the line.
• Forward Anaelle Dutat had a double-double, finishing with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
• Guard Sophie Phillips led the Rams with 12 points on 4-of-7 from 3-point range.
• Forward Hawa Komara had six points and nine rebounds.
• Rhode Island had an 11-0 edge in bench points.
• UMass outscored URI 28-14 in the paint.

Up Next
Rhode Island is back on the road to play at Saint Louis on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Game time is 8 p.m. EST and the game will stream on ESPN+.