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

Davidson Starters 
Alvarez Castellanos, Donovan, Garcia Monje, Bruyndoncx, Dunn

How it Happened
Brooklyn Gray had a monster performance to spark Rhode Island to its 11th straight victory as the Rams beat Davidson 60-53 Wednesday night. URI (17-2, 8-0 Atlantic 10) withstood a late rally by the Wildcats to secure the win.

Gray poured in 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds. She helped Rhody improve to a perfect 8-0 in conference play.

Gray was hot from the start, scoring seven points in the opening quarter for the Rams while shooting 3-for-5. The rest of the team combined to go 2-for-8, but Rhody still managed a slight 12-11 lead, as both sides struggled offensively. Davidson was just 5-for-16 from the floor, including 0-for-3 from the perimeter.

Sophia Vital picked up her second foul just nine seconds into the second quarter, forcing the Rhody point guard to the bench. She stayed on the bench until the 5:00 mark, when she entered for Ines Debroise after Debroise got her second personal. Despite both of URI's ball handlers both saddled with two fouls, URI ended the half on a 7-2 run. The Rams hit four 3-pointers in the second period, helping them bring a 30-25 lead into the half.

Davidson opened the third with a 7-0 run and led for the bulk of the third. The Wildcats (14-7, 6-2 A-10) got in front by as many as five after a 3-pointer by Ines Garcia Manje made the score 41-36. Rhody closed the period with six straight points - including back-to-back baskets from Brooklyn Gray to reclaim the lead at 42-41 heading into the final quarter.

Rhody scored back-to-back baskets off of turnovers early in the fourth period to push its lead to 46-41. Vanessa Harris had the first steal and layup, and Brooklyn Gray followed with one of her own moments later to force a Davidson timeout. Gray added a 3-pointer before an Albina Syla layup gave Rhody a 10-point lead at 51-41. The Ram defense did not allow a point for the first 5:25 of the quarter, forcing the Wildcats to start the final frame 0-for-5 with four turnovers.

Davidson used a lightning quick 7-0 run to make it a one-possession game at 54-51. A hoop-and-harm three-point play by Elena Alvarez Castellanos, two Katie Donovan free throws and a Charlise Dunn layup had the Wildcats surging with 2:33 remaining. Rhody buckled down and held Davidson scoreless for the next two minutes, and Sophia Vital was 5-for-6 at the free throw line to put Rhody up 59-51 with 30 seconds to go. Davidson was unable to threaten again, and Rhody got its 11th straight win, the second longest in program history.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island shot 41.2 percent (7-for-17) from 3-point range, the team's second highest mark on the year. 
• The Rams and the Wildcats both had 11 offensive rebounds, but Rhode Island won the second chance points battle, 12-6.
• Rhode Island shot 42.6 percent from the field, the 10th time the team has had a percentage 40% or higher this season.
• Rhode Island's bench outscored Davidson's, 12-5.
• Brooklyn Gray was the game-high scorer with 19 points, adding nine rebounds, four steals, two assists and one block. 
• With four steals, Gray set a new season high and tied her career high.
• Vanessa Harris contributed 12 points, two rebounds, and two steals.
• Albina Syla added nine points, four rebounds and two assists. 
• Sophia Vital put up nine points, as well as six rebounds and three assists. 
• Ines Debroise tacked on six points and five assists. 

Up Next
Rhode Island heads to Dayton for a Sunday afternoon contest with the Flyers on Jan. 21. The 2 p.m. game airs on national television on CBS Sports Network.