University of Rhode Island vs University of Dayton
Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
6:00PM
Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
6:00PM
Media
TV: N/A
Online: ESPN+
Previews:
Dayton Fan Forum
Let’s give some well-deserved love to the URI Women’s team!!! Rhody is poised to possibly make an NCAA appearance for the first time since the 95-96 season. That was the only time in program history the women’s team has made it. Hopefully this is the year the drought ends. Tammy Reiss who was the A10 coach of the year last year is primed to win it again. Before their last NCAA appearance & the hiring of Coach Reiss, the Rams had a losing record in 19 of their 23 seasons. They had 3 seasons during that time frame of winning only 3 or less games. Although just in her third season, Reiss is only the 3rd URI Women’s coach with a career winning record. The other 2, Beth Bricker & Nancy Lanham, where their first two coaches ever. No other coach has a winning percentage over 40%.
URI heads into Wednesday’s home against Dayton with the nation’s longest winning streak in the country at 13. Dayton is no slouch either as they had a 12-game win streak before losing at home to a good VCU team by 2. The game against the Flyers is easily the biggest home women’s game ever at the Ryan Center. These two teams are battling for supremacy in the A10. To say Dayton has had URI’s number is putting mildly as the Flyers have won 17 straight against URI. The two teams did not square off last season as the game was cancelled because of COVID.
The Flyers have 3 players averaging double digits, with Sophomore Makira Cook leading the way at 15.8. Second leading scorer, Erin Whalen (13.9), is their top deep threat with 52 made 3 pointers on the season (5 more than Rhody’s Dolly Cairns). Senior guard Araion Bradshaw runs the point for the Flyers & is averaging 4.4 assists per game. The aforementioned Cook is second with 3 assists per game. That duo accounts for over half of their team’s assists per game. The Rhode Island Rams should be call the Rhode Island Béliers as they have 5 players on their roster from France, thanks to Associate Head Coach Adeniyi Amadou who is from France & helped recruit most of these players. Throw in Marta Vargas from Portugal, Emmi Rinat from Isreal, Rebecca Demeke from Canada, & Anna Dreimane from Latvia & even Bob McKillop is envious of the number of foreign-born players on this team. When Rhody is on offense, Emmanuelle Tahane (Co-Player of the Year in the A10 last season) is just plain awesome. She is averaging 14.5/9.0/2.8 & is shooting an eye-popping 58% from the floor. Running the point is feisty guard & just a plain badass, Chanell Williams. The Providence transfer came up with 2 giant steals against La Salle at the end of the game that won it for the Rams. One of my personal favorites on the team is Dolly Cairns, who can shoot lights out from the floor. Opposing teams make sure she is guarded tightly because it seems she can shoot from anywhere on the court. She has a great midrange jumper ala Jeff Dowtin as well.
This game has all the makings for one of the all-time greats in URI women’s history. Get down to the Ryan Center Wednesday night, you will not be disappointed. It’s time for Flyers’ run of dominance over to end over the Rams. Getting the win Wednesday night helps ease the pressure when these 2 teams face off again in Dayton in 2 weeks. Coach Reiss and the Rams win this one, 68-64. Go Rhody!!
Opponent
Record:
19-4, 10-1 in the A-10
Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 50 (45)
RPI: 58 (28)
Leaders:
Points – Makira Cook 15.8 (Soph., G)
Rebounds –Kyla Whitehead 7.3 (Sr. F)
Assists – Araion Bradshaw 4.4 (Sr., G) (1.6 TO per game)
URI Leaders:
Points – Emmanuelle Tahane 14.5 (Sr., F)
Rebounds – Emmanuelle Tahane 9.0 (Sr. F)
Assists – Emmanuelle Tahane 2.8 (Sr., F) (2.5 TO per game)
Historical
Series: 4-25
H: 3-10, A: 0-14, N: 1-1
Most Recent Matchup: 2/9/20 71-60 L at Dayton
Most Recent Win Streak: 17 – Dayton
