University of Massachusets Athletics
Minutewomen Fall To Rhode Island, 63-54
January 13, 2006 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 13, 2006
Box Score | Photo Gallery
AMHERST, Mass. - A 10-point second half run fueled a comeback for Rhode Island as the Rams defeated UMass 63-54 on Friday afternoon in the Mullins Center. Despite an enthusiastic home crowd of 2,989 on Field Trip Day, the Minutewomen came up short despite holding a four-point lead at the half. Pam Rosanio led all scorers with 24 points, while Tamara Tatham added 15 to lead UMass.
Turnovers were a trouble spot for the Minutewomen (3-12, 0-4 A-10) as UMass committed 33 for the game, 20 of which were in the first half. The Rams were able to convert those turnovers into 31 points which gave them the edge down the stretch.
Rhode Island (5-9, 2-1 A-10) overcame a poor shooting first half, where the Rams connected on just 25 percent of their shots, to finish the game 24-for-58 from the floor. The Rams were 4-for-4 sparked by two Amanda McGrew three pointers in their 10-point run taking a 49-38 lead which they would not give up.
UMass held a 23-19 lead at the half and extended it to eight, 27-19, on Whitney McDonald layup with 17:56 remaining.
Rhode Island tied the game at 31 each on a McGrew jumper and a pair of free throws by Safi Mojidi with 12:35 remaining gave the Rams the lead for good.
With just under 10 minutes to go, Rosanio drilled a three-pointer to cut the lead to 39-38, but that was as close as UMass could get.
UMass heads to Charlotte this weekend with a 2:00 p.m. tip-off against the 49ers on Sunday. The Minutewomen will return to Mullins for a pair of home games against Richmond (1/19) and George Washington (1/22).