The Rhode Island Rams (16-11, 8-6) defeated the Massachusetts Minutewomen (3-23, 1-13) 86-64 on Wednesday night. The Rams completed the season series sweep over the Minutewomen, even though UMass still has a 50-42 lead over Rhode Island in the all-time series history.
The game started with Rhode Island making the first basket of the game, and UMass kept it close in the first quarter until the Rams got hot. UMass was able to tie the score up within the first quarter, but Rhode Island took the lead and never looked back.
UMass unfortunately is seeing the injury bug start to creep back on them as Bre Bellamy went down midway through the second quarter, holding her right leg. Bellamy tweaked her right leg on a pass she made to Chinenye Odenigbo with four minutes left in the second quarter. Bellamy was not able to put pressure on her right leg when being helped off the court by Scott Myrick, the Minutewomen’s athletic trainer, and one of the managers for UMass. Bellamy came out of the locker room on crutches, and not putting any pressure on her right leg. Out of halftime, Bellamy was seen with ice on her right leg and her night was over after halftime. “[Bre] is gonna get reevaluated after the game,” said Coach Mike Leflar about Bellamy’s injury. “We’ll hopefully have some more information [Thursday] or Friday.” UMass also has not had Jermany Mapp (shoulder) dress since the UMass Lowell game, and Mikenzie Jones has not dressed since the La Salle game at the end of January after taking a tough blow to the head.
The Rams had five different players in double-figure scoring. Maye Toure led the way for Rhode Island with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Sophie Phillips had 15 points, Ines Debrois had 14 points, Dee Dee Davis had 13 points, and Tenin Magassa had 11 points to round out scorers in double-digit scoring. Sophia Vital had 5 points, and Anaelle Dutat, Hawa Komara, and Katie Ledden each had 2 points to round out all scorers for the Rams.
The Minutewomen had three players in double-figure scoring. Kristin Williams led the way for UMass with 15 points, Alexsia Rose had 13 points, and Odenigbo had a career-high 10 points to round out scorers in double digits. Stefanie Kulesza had 9 points, Lilly Taulelei had 8 points, Bellamy had 6 points, and Dallas Pierce had 3 points to round out all scorers for the Minutewomen.
Rhode Island travels back home to the Ryan Center to face the Davidson Wildcats (18-6, 8-5 A-10) on Saturday, February 17th at 1pm on ESPN+. This will be the 14th meeting between these two teams, and the Rams have a 7-6 lead over the Wildcats.
UMass remains home in the Mullins Center to face the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rams (21-4, 10-3 A-10) on Saturday, February 17th at 1pm on ESPN+. This will be the second meeting between the Rams and the Minutewomen, with VCU taking the win back at the end of December. This will be the 17th meeting between these two teams, and the Rams lead the series 10-6 over the Minutewomen.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Scoreboard for Wednesday, February 14th:
- The George Washington Revolutionaries (10-15, 3-10) defeated the La Salle Explorers (7-17, 4-9) 71-49.
- The Rhode Island Rams (16-11, 8-6) defeated the Massachusetts Minutewomen (3-23, 1-13) 86-64.
- The Richmond Spiders (22-4, 12-1) defeated the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (21-4, 10-3) 65-58.
- The Duquesne Dukes (16-9, 11-3) defeated the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (4-20, 1-12) 66-50.
- The Saint Joseph’s Hawks (23-2, 12-1) defeated the Dayton Flyers (10-15, 4-10) 73-47.
- The Davidson Wildcats (18-6, 8-5) defeated the George Mason Patriots (19-5, 10-3) 75-67.
- The Saint Louis Billikens (11-15, 6-7) defeated the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (12-13, 6-8) 77-68.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Saturday, February 17th
- Davidson Wildcats (18-6, 8-5) at Rhode Island Rams (16-11, 8-6) at 1pm.
- Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (21-4, 10-3) at Massachusetts Minutewomen (3-23, 1-13) at 1pm.
- George Washington Revolutionaries (10-15, 3-10) at George Mason Patriots (19-5, 10-3) at 3pm.
- Loyola Chicago Ramblers (12-13, 6-8) at Richmond Spiders (22-4, 12-1) at 6pm.
- Duquesne Dukes (16-9, 11-3) at Saint Louis Billikens (11-15, 6-7) at 8pm.
Featured Image: Chris Tucci, UMass Athletics
Kaily “KG” Godek is a current student at Western New England University (WNE). She has been a supporter of UMass Athletics for over 15 years. Kaily focuses on both UMass Basketball teams and occasionally on the other Women’s Basketball teams in the conference. While writing for A10 Talk, she works in the athletic department at WNE. When she graduates from WNE she wants to go into Sports Broadcasting and Journalism. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.