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

Richmond Starters
Dewey, Doogan, Newell, Sweeney, Ullstrom

How it Happened
A fast start and strong perimeter shooting from Richmond were too much for Rhode Island to overcome as the Rams fell to the Spiders 72-46 on Wednesday night at the Robins Center. 

Everything went Richmond's way in the opening quarter as the Spiders (24-6, 14-3 Atlantic 10) jumped out to a 27-9 lead over Rhode Island (24-4, 15-2 Atlantic 10). Seven of the Spiders' 16 made 3-point shots came in the game's first 10 minutes. Alicia Newell buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap a 14-0 run to close the first quarter.

Rhode Island responded in the second quarter with its best run of the evening. The Rams scored the first four buckets of the period, helping cut the deficit to single digits. Mary-Kate Tshibuabua's second-chance layup with less than two minutes remaining in the quarter provided the last points of the half and cut the Richmond lead to 32-24 at the break.

In the second half, the Spiders continued to impress on their home court. A 17-5 run to start third third quarter extended Richmond's lead to 22 points at 49-27. Rhody began to chip away and managed to pull within 12 points when a Vanessa Harris jumper to start the fourth quarter made the score 54-42. That was the closest Rhode Island got down the stretch. Richmond outscored the Rams 13-2 over the final six minutes of the game to secure the victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island finished the game 4-of-23 (17.4 percent) from 3-point range. It was the Rams lowest 3-point percentage in a game this season. 
• Richmond's 16-of-30 (53.3 percent) from deep was its best performance from 3-point territory this season. 
• The Spiders hit 16 3-pointers one other time this season; on Feb. 4 at Saint Louis. 
• Vanessa Harris scored a team-high nine points with six rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench. 
• Sophia Vital had seven points, six rebounds, and three assists.
• Brooklyn Gray also had seven points and added four rebounds. 
• Ines Debroise finished with six points, all of which came from a perfect 6-for-6 night at the free throw line.
• Aimée Michel hit two 3-point buckets and finished with six points. 
• Mary-Kate Tshibuabua went 2-for-3 from the field and finished with four points. 

Up Next
Rhode Island returns home to host George Washington in the final game of the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 28. The game is slated to start at 2:30 p.m. and is available on ESPN+ and the Varsity Network. It is part of a doubleheader with the URI men's team, which hosts Saint Joseph's at 12 p.m.