URI Women's Basketball Defeats BU to Advance to NIT Second Round

URI Women's Basketball Defeats BU to Advance to NIT Second Round

The University of Rhode Island women's basketball team defeated Boston University on Friday to record the first WNIT victory in program history, beating the Terriers 46-40.

Despite struggling offensively, the Rams (25-6) limited BU (24-9) to just five percent from 3-point range. The Terriers - who shot .393 from long range entering Friday's game - were 1-for-19 from the arc. Rhode Island also forced the Terriers' 25 turnovers.

The game remained close however until a mini-run by URI midway through the third quarter. With Rhody holding a 26-25 lead, Sophie Phillips knocked down a 3-pointer following a BU turnover. Tenin Magassa followed with a layup. 

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BU's Caitlin Weimer hit a jumper, but URI got a layup from Emmi Rinat followed by back-to-back shots from Magassa as it closed the quarter on an 11-2 run to build a 36-27 lead. All three of the baskets to end the third were second-chance hoops, as URI gained control of the game when it began controlling the glass.

In the final period, Magassa scored the first basket to give URI its largest lead at 38-27. BU managed to slowly chip away at the advantage, closing within four points at 40-36 with 3:12 remaining. Rhody held the Terrier's to just one field goal the rest of the way, using a 6-1 spurt to get the lead back to 46-37 before BU hit a meaningless 3-pointer with six seconds to go.

Inside the Box Score

Both teams struggled shooting the ball, combining to go 33-for-133 from the field.
There were a combined 104 rebounds, with Boston University having a 56-48 edge.
Junior Tenin Magassa had 12 points and eight rebounds. Five of the boards came on the offensive end.
Sophomore Mayé Touré added eight points and four rebounds, while junior Dolly Cairns had seven points and five boards.
All seven of Cairns' points came in the second half.
Freshman Anaelle Dutat had 11 rebounds.
Graduate student Sayawni Lassiter had five points, six steals and three assists.
The Rams had 18 steals.

What's Next

Rhode Island will host Richmond in the second round of the WNIT on Monday, March 20. Game time is 6 p.m.