UALBANY WBB vs Rhode Island Recap

Enve

2024-11-14

SCORE: UAlbany 67, Rhode Island 57
LOCATION: Broadview Center – Albany, N.Y.
RECORDS: UAlbany 1-0, 0-0 America East | Rhode Island 1-1, 0-0 Atlantic 10

#AEHoops – The Phillips twins share their experience on playing against each other. @AmericaEast @RhodyWBB @UAlbanyWBB pic.twitter.com/rE7JkaLfK9
— Enveonline (@Enveonline) November 11, 2024

STORY
For the first game of the season UAlbany started it off with a bang. With their first opponent of the season, Atlantic 10 runner-up the Rhode Island Rams. The Rams were coming into Friday’s night game with a win already under their belt over Stonehill. For the Great Danes the first game of the season, and it was a top Atlantic 10 opponent and that was not the only big storyline. For both teams they had the Phillips twin sisters on opposite teams. Matching up against each other, for the first time.

As the game started UA created a 7-4 lead midway through the first period. Ending the period with an 18-13 lead. UAlbany having such a strong start, and lead was not the only surprising. The Danes built this lead while Kayla Cooper was held scoreless. Kaci Donovan, and Jessica Tomosatti led the team with seven, As for the Rams forward Harsimran Kaur play and Sophia Vital play who combined for nine of Rhode Island 13 points was keeping the Rams in the game and the good news was that they were only down by five at the end of the period.

Rhode Island was not only shooting 29% from the field but was also struggling with their three point shot. As they were 0-5 meanwhile Albany was shooting 50 percent, and were dominating them with fast break points. As the Great Danes lead Rhode Island 7-0. When play resumed for the second period UAlbany WBB continued with their grip on the lead.

During this run it was the play of Kayla Cooper, and Phillips who put up a combined ten points. Which contributed to the seven point lead (24-17). Cooper, and Phillips’ play was not the only thing keeping the Rams down. It was also the Danes defense. They had shut down Kaur, and Vital for the second period. As they were held scoreless for the period. Not to mention the Rams were 0-10 from the three point line, and one their best players Sophie Phillips was held scoreless through the first half.

The only bright spot for the Rams going into halftime down by ten was their play in the paint. Where they were scoring most of their points (16). When play resumed for the second half the Rams were playing better. They had scored eleven midway through, and had finished the period outscoring the Great Danes 19-18. Another struggle was that Phillips did not score her first points until near the end of the period. Rhode Island only three pointer made for the game. It was not just Phillips’ struggle, it was also the fact that UA play was consistent through the third period. Shooting 50% from the field and Cooper was also scoring, as she finished the period with 14.

Once the fourth period started, Rhode Island were unable to come back from the deficit. The closest they came within the quarter was seven (48-41). UAlbany continued to keep a stranglehold on the lead, as they picked up their first victory 67-57.

After the game Coach Reiss acknowledged in the press conference that Rhode Island were outplayed. As

She stated that UAlbany punched us in the mouth, and we never responded. Coach Reiss also stated that UAlbany WBB came ready to play and we did not. For the Great Danes the other bigger story other than the Phillps sisters playing each other, was it was coach Mullen 100th win of her career. Coach Mullen gave all credit to her staff, and players for all of her wins as a coach. She stated all she does is walk up and down the court and stomp her feet and also reminded us of how difficult it was to get her first win which I still cherish till this day. For the Great Danes, and coach Mullen they travel to Dartmouth to look for win number two.

Team Statistics

Game Stats	URI	ALB
FG%	.379	.479
3FG%	.150	.429
FT%	.556	.900
RB	33	30
TO	17	17
STL	8	5

Post Game

"I still remember my first win. I thought it was the hardest thing in the world. Then I faced Vivian Stringer who just won her 1,000 win" – Head Coach, Colleen Mullen@AmericaEast / @UAlbanyWBB / #AEHoops pic.twitter.com/pwfUcAqroR
— Enveonline (@Enveonline) November 11, 2024