No. 1 Rhode Island Starters
Mbu, Syla, Vital, Gray, Debroise

No. 2 George Mason Starters
Walton, Harris, Brown, Volker, Komara

How it Happened
Rhode Island is going dancing!

The top-seeded Rams completed the run through the 2026 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship, winning the tournament for the first time in program history. Rhody (28-4) overcame a slow start to defeat second-seeded George Mason 53-51 Sunday afternoon to punch into ticket to the NCAA Championship for the first time in 30 years.  

No. 2 George Mason (23-9) capitalized on seven first-quarter turnovers by the Rams. The early momentum helped the Patriots used a 9-0 run that trickled into the second quarter to build a 17-7.

Rhody settled down in the second quarter, committing just one turnover. Though both teams struggled offensively late in the period, URI managed to chip away at the deficit, pulling within one point by the break. Vanessa Harris hit a jump shot at the halftime buzzer to get Rhody within 25-24.

Albina Syla gave Rhode Island its first lead of the game with a layup 32 seconds into the second half. Moments later, George Mason's Zahirah Walton was called for a technical foul for taunting after blocking a shot attempt by Sophia Vital. Brooklyn Gray stepped to the line and made both free throws to make the score 28-25. A Vital layup extended the Rhode Island lead to five.

George Mason did not score its first points of the half until nearly 3:30 in to the third when Mary Amoateg got a bucket. Syla came right back with a basket on the other end for the Rams. Brooklyn Gray later hit a 3-pointer to open a 35-29 lead. George Mason used an Amoateng layup and three Kennedy Harris free throws to get back within one point at 35-34 with 2:27 left in the quarter.

Rhody responded by scoring the final four points of the quarter. Ines Debroise scored off an assist from Palmire Mbu. After a defensive stop, Mbu scored off an assist from Gray, giving URI a 39-34 heading into the final period.

The teams combined for just eight points in the first five minutes of the fourth. Rhody missed its first six shots from the floor and did not hit a field goal until a Brooklyn Gray layup with 1:57 remaining. Despite this, the Rams never relinquished their lead. The Rams shot 10-for-12 at the free throw line in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island earned the Atlantic 10's automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division I Championship. It will be URI's second appearance in the tournament, and its first in 30 years.
• George Mason scored eight points off of seven first-half turnovers by Rhode Island. Over the final three quarters, the Patriots had just two points off turnovers
• After allowing 15 points in the opening quarter, Rhode Island help George Mason to 30 points combined over the final three periods.
• The Rhody defense held George Mason to 32 percent (19-for-59) from the field.
• Brooklyn Gray led the Rams with 16 points and was 8-for-8 at the free throw line.
• Albina Syla had nine points and 10 rebounds.
• Syla averaged 14.7 points and 10.0 rebounds over the course of the Atlantic 10 Championship. Four+
• Palmire Mbu had eight points and seven rebounds.
• Vanessa Harris added eight points off the bench.
• Ines Debroise had six points, two assists and two rebounds.

Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team
Kennedy Harris George Mason
Zahirah Walton George Mason
Brooklyn Gray Rhode Island
Sophia Vital Rhode Island
Albina Syla Rhode Island

Most Outstanding Player
Albina Syla Rhode Island

Up Next
Rhode Island will await its postseason fate. The 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Selection Show will air on ESPN on Sunday, March 15 at 8 p.m.