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

Fordham Starters
Easley, Edwards, Niankan, Veljovic, Wilson-Saltos

How it Happened
Rhode Island overcame a slow offensive start to defeat Fordham 69-39 on Senior Day at the Ryan Center on Saturday afternoon.

Rhode Island (24-3, 15-1 Atlantic 10) used a 11-0 run while down four midway through the second quarter to take the lead and distance itself from Fordham (10-17, 2-14 Atlantic 10). 

The Rhode Island run was capped off by Aimée Michel's first 3-pointer of the day that lifted Rhody to a 19-12 lead and forced a Fordham timeout. Up until that point in the game, Rhode Island had not made a three in the game having opened 0-of-10 from deep. Rhode Island used the offensive surge to help carry a 10-point lead into halftime. 

The third quarter began with layups from Albina Syla and Sophia Vital and ended with Rhode Island hitting six of its last nine shots and carrying a 44-28 lead into the fourth quarter. Rhode Island dominated the fourth quarter outscoring Fordham 25-11 over the final 10 minutes of the game. A second-chance layup from Michel with 29 seconds left gave Rhode Island its largest lead of the afternoon and a 30-point Senior Day victory. 

Inside the Box Score

• Prior to the game, Rhode Island honored seniors Valentina Ojeda, Ta'Viyanna Habib, Brooklyn Gray, Palmire Mbu, and Ines Debroise.
• Senior managers Korie Mangler and Kelly Peter were also recognized.
• Rhode Island held Fordham to 28 percent shooting from the field. Fordham's third lowest percentage on the year.
• Despite shooting 31 percent from the field in the first half, Rhode Island finished the game shooting 43 percent from the field. 
• Rhode Island held Fordham to zero makes from three in the first half.
• Rhode Island out rebounded Fordham 51-26.
• Rhode Island outscored Fordham in the paint 44-26.
• Albina Syla scored a game-high 16 points, with nine rebounds, two assists, and one block.
• Ines Debroise contributed 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
• Aimée Michel had 11 points and four rebounds off the bench.
• Vanessa Harris tallied nine points, five rebounds, and one assist off the bench. 
• Brooklyn Gray scored eight points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished three assists, and snagged two steals.
• Sophia Vital tacked on six points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. 
• Palmire Mbu added five points, six rebounds, and one block.
• Valentina Ojeda had two points and one assist. 
• Lilyana Fontcha contributed two points and one rebound.

Up Next
Rhode Island heads to Richmond on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Game time is 6 p.m. on both ESPN+ and the Varsity Network.