KINGSTON, R.I. – The last time the Rhode Island and UMass women’s basketball teams faced off, the Rams outplayed the Minutewomen in just about every facet en route to a 75-68 win at the Mullins Center. 

It was just UMass’ second game in Atlantic-10 Conference play, all the way back on Jan. 4. But head coach Tory Verdi hadn’t able to let the loss go. 

“I promise you – there wasn't one day that went by that I didn't think about that game,” Verdi said. “Here's a revenge game for us.” 

It was a balmy 50 degrees in Rhode Island on Thursday, but the Minutewomen’s revenge was best served cold in a dominant 78-57 victory at the Ryan Center. The win pulled UMass even atop the A-10 standings with Rhode Island, as both teams now sit at 12-1 in the league. It was also a program-record 11th victory in a row for the Minutewomen.

The entire UMass roster stepped up in major ways – Destiney Philoxy tied her career high in assists with 11 helpers, Angelique Ngalakulondi was a force in the paint with 17 points and eight rebounds, and Sydney Taylor picked up her second career double-double with 18 points and 10 boards. On top of the individual performances, UMass also out-rebounded Rhode Island, 51-29. 

Some might have said that Thursday’s game would be a tougher one for the Minutewomen in enemy territory. But Taylor said she thrives when she’s away from the friendly confines of the Mullins Center.

“For me personally, I think I feel better on the road. I really don't mind coming here and playing,” Taylor said. “I love like the fans on the opposite team, it kind of motivates me to go harder.” 

That extra motivation seemed to permeate the entire team, especially in the opening quarter. UMass hit all four of their opening shots, and a triple from Ber’Nyah Mayo to give UMass a 9-0 lead forced a Rhode Island timeout just 1 minute, 54 seconds into the game. The first period was essentially the Ngalakulondi show – the forward led the team with seven points and three boards, taking ownership of the paint in a way that frazzled the Rams. 

“I’m so so happy for Ang. I tell her all the time she controls her own minutes. Just staying out of foul trouble, she could play by the whole game,” Taylor said. “I tell her that all the time – just stay straight up, we need you on offense and on defense.” 

UMass (22-4 overall, 12-1 A-10) made a couple of adjustments in its second game against Rhode Island, hounding the Rams’ point guards and paying extra close attention to Emma Squires. Saywani Lassiter hit a couple buckets for the Rams in the first, but things didn’t get much better for the home team after the early timeout, with UMass building up to a 20-5 lead. 

Things got a little scary for UMass midway through the first when Makennah White went down with a right ankle injury, but she was back in the game after getting taped up on the sidelines. By halftime, UMass had a 39-28 lead, but it felt larger than that.

With everyone stepping up, it was almost easy to forget Philoxy’s 11 assists, but while she wasn’t the leader on the  scoreboard, she orchestrated every play, finding wide-open looks that made the Rhode Island defense look three steps behind. 

“Destiney said it was a new year, new her, and I said, ‘Well you know Destiney, it’s February,’” Verdi said with a grin. “The fact that she only had one turnover tonight – for her to have those numbers is pretty impressive.” 

The game was essentially over at halftime, and even more so by the end of the third frame – URI (21-4, 12-1) never got closer than nine points in the second half, and UMass had a double-digit lead from the 5:03 mark of the third quarter until the end of the game. 

The Minutewomen will get to go back to the Mullins Center for their next tilt, a Sunday matinee against Davidson at noon.

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