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

George Washington Starters
Wilson, Reynolds, Lewis, Becker, Sims

How it Happened
Rhode Island overcame a sloppy start and wore down George Washington, beating the Revolutionaries 79-70 Wednesday afternoon. It was URI's seventh straight victory, and it made Tammi Reiss Rhode Island's all-time leader in career wins with 123.

URI (13-2, 4-0 Atlantic 10) trailed by as many as 11 in the first half before battling back over the final three quarters. The Rams turned the ball over six times and shot just 4-of-12 from the field in the opening 10 minutes. That coupled with seven points by Sara Lewis helped George Washington (9-8, 1-3 A-10) build a 17-11 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Lewis scored the first four points of the second quarter to push the GW lead to double digits at 21-11. The lead got to as many as 11 points before the Rams began to chip away. Led by Brooklyn Gray's 15 second-quarter points, Rhody got the deficit down to three points following a Sophia Vital layup 17 seconds before the half. Collen Phiri hit a basket in the paint at the buzzer to send George Washington into the break ahead 38-33.

Rhody continued chipping away throughout the third quarter. Ines Debroise continuously beat her defender into the lane, scoring 10 points in the period. She made three layups and was 4-for-4 at the line to provide a spark. Albina Syla added eight in the third, and Ta'Viyanna Habib hit a pair of free throws in the closing seconds of the third to pull URI within two at 59-57.

Sophia Vital hit a 3-pointer to start the fourth, giving Rhode Island a 60-59 lead. It was URI's first lead since being up 9-6 in the first period. The trio of Vital, Brooklyn Gray and Ines Debroise made big plays throughout the final quarter. Gray had four straight points to put Rhody in front 64-61. GW got two free throws before Vital drove in for a layup. A 3-pointer by Emma Theodorsson tied the game at 66-66 with 4:29 to go.

With the game setting up for a thrilling finish, Gray hit a jumper to immediately give Rhody the lead back. Debroise followed that with a steal and fastbreak layup to make it 70-66. After a Gabby Reynolds layup made it a two-point game, Vital hit a layup. Rhody's defense forced a turnover, and Debroise worked her way into the paint for another basket, making the score 74-68 with 2:14 to go. It was URI's biggest lead of the game.

Jaeda Wilson hit two free throws for George Washington with 1:11 to go, but the Revolutionaries were forced to start fouling. Sophia Vital made 2-of-2 with 59 seconds left. After a defensive stop, Vital returned to the line and again sank both free throws to make the score 78-70. Again, the defense made another stop, and Ines Debroise was fouled. She made 1-of-2 to put Rhody up, 79-70.  After another stop, URI was able to dribble the clock out and leave the nation's capital with the win.

Inside the Box Score

• Head coach Tammi Reiss improved to 123-70 overall, becoming the program's all-time leader in victories. Nancy Langham was 122-105 from 1977-85.
• Brooklyn Gray reached 1,000 career points with a jump shot in the second quarter.
• She finished with 23 points, topping her previous season high of 19 against Princeton.
• Sophia Vital had a double-double, finishing with 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.
• She added five assists and two steals.
• Ines Debroise had 16 points and four assists.
• Albina Syla had 12 points and three rebounds.
• It was her third time in double digits in the last four games.
• Rhode Island was 19-for-22 at the free throw line.
• After turning the ball over six times in the first quarter, Rhode Island had just two turnovers in the final 30 minutes.
• Rhode Island improved to 7-1 on the road.

Up Next
Rhode Island is back at it Saturday, Jan. 10 in the Ryan Center when it hosts St. Bonaventure at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and the Varsity Network.