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

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

How it Happened
Rhode Island won its second regular-season Atlantic 10 title in four years after beating George Washington 72-48 on Saturday afternoon at the Ryan Center. 

Rhode Island (25-4, 16-2 Atlantic 10) led by as much as 20 points in the first half. Brooklyn Gray's second chance layup midway through the second quarter gave Rhode Island a 32-12 lead. George Washington (15-15, 7-10 Atlantic 10) cut into the lead over the second quarter's final five minutes and the Rams carried a 40-25 lead into halftime. 

Rhode Island hit its final four field goal attempts of the third quarter to take a 61-40 lead over George Washington heading into the final frame. Vanessa Harris buried a 3-pointer from the far corner just before time expired at the end of the third.

Palmire Mbu hit back-to-back buckets to start the fourth quarter for Rhode Island and help the Rams to a 25-point lead. With a minute left in the game, Aimée Michel hit a layup to give the Rams a 72-46 lead: their largest of the game.

Rhode Island and George Mason both finished the regular season 16-2 in conference play and are named co-regular season champs. The Rams received the top seed after defeating the Patriots in both regular season meetings owning the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Inside the Box Score

• This is the second time in program history and first since 2022-23 that Rhode Island has claimed a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season title
• Rhode Island shot 61 percent (31-of-51) from the field. That is the team's best shooting percentage in a game this season.
• The Rams assisted on 21 of its 31 buckets. That is their second most assists in a game this season.
• Rhode Island held George Washington to one made 3-pointer in the game.
• The Rams outscored the Revolutionaries 48-30 in the paint.
• Palmire Mbu scored a game-high 23 points, added two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. 
• Brooklyn Gray had 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. 
• Albina Syla contributed 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
• Ines Debroise tacked on nine points and five assists.
• Sophia Vital added on seven points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. 
• Vanessa Harris contributed seven points, three rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal off the bench. 
• Aimee Michel had four points and two rebounds off the bench.

Up Next
As the No.1 seed in the Atlantic 10 Championship, Rhode Island advances directly to the quarterfinals of the bracket. The Rams will tip off on Friday, March 6 at 11 a.m. The game is available on USA Network and the Varsity Network.