Atlantic 10 – Quarterfinals
Henrico Sports & Events Center, Glen Allen, VA
Friday, March 8, 2024
7:30PM
Media
TV: N/A
Online: ESPN +
App: Varsity Network
Previews
Saint Joseph’s Fan Forum
The University of Rhode Island women’s team advances to the quarterfinals after vanquishing Dayton last night, 70-57. What was just a 3 point game with under 8 minutes to go in the game, the Rams closed out the contest with a 15-5 run to notch the victory. Dee Dee Davis was the sparkplug for this going for 23 & 11. Even with her being the shortest player on the court, she had a game high in rebounds.
The Rams advanced to the quarterfinal for a tilt against a very good Saint Joseph’s team Friday night. The Hawks went 26-4 on the season & 15-3 in conference which includes two wins against the Rams this season. Although starting the season 24-2, they have just 2 wins in their last 4 games, so they are beatable. The Hawks have a one-two punch with their forwards Talya Brugler & Laura Ziegler. The junior Brugler is leading the team in scoring with 16 per game & shooting an impressive 54% from the floor. The sophomore Ziegler is leading the team in both rebounding at almost 10 per game & assists at almost 3 per game. She is also second on the team in scoring at 14.7 per game. Both play the majority of the game at 33 minutes per contest. Mackenzie Smith is the Hawk’s best three-point shooter & is hitting an impressive 43.6% of her attempts. She is leading the team in steals with 1.4 per game & 3rd on the team in scoring with just over 13 per game. Davidson transfer Chloe Welch is the final double-digit scorer at 10.5 per game.
As for the Rams, Anaelle Dutat & Maye Toure will have to work on the defensive end to try to limit Brugler & Ziegler. The Rams will need Toure to have a better shooting night compares to last night if they want to advance to the next round. The Rams are just 13-59 all time against Saint Joseph’s, including just 1-6 in the A10 tournament. Prior to this season, Tammi Reiss was 5-1 against the Hawks with that one loss being at the A10 tournament two years ago. She is now 5-3 all-time against the Hawks. Can the Rams sneak out a victory tonight? They have a shooter’s chance, but I don’t think they pull it out. Please, please, please prove me wrong. My prediction Saint Joseph’s 69 – URI 64. Go Rhody!!
Opponent
Record:
26-4, 15-3 in the A10
20-11, 9-7 in the A10 (Last Season)
Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 61 (82)
RPI: 55 (90)
Leaders:
Points – Talya Brugler 16.0 (Jr., F)
Rebounds – Laura Ziegler 9.8 (Soph., F)
Assists – Laura Ziegler 2.9 (Soph., F) (2.1 TO per game)
URI Leaders:
Points – Maye Toure 12.8 (Sr., F)
Rebounds – Maye Toure 7.8 (Jr. F)
Assists – Ines Desbroise 3.2 (Soph., G) (1.4 TO per game)
Historical
Series: 13-59
H: 6-26, A: 6-27, N: 1-6
Most Recent Matchup: 2/24/24 72-67 L at Saint Joseph’s
Most Recent Win Streak: 2 – Saint Joseph’s