Rhode Island will host Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on Wednesday in what will be the 15th meeting between the two women’s basketball programs. This is their second matchup of the season; Rhode Island previously won at VCU on January 14 with a score of 46-41.
Historically, Rhode Island has a 4-10 record against VCU, but all four wins have come under current head coach Tammi Reiss. The team has won three of its last four meetings with VCU. “All four Rhody wins against the VCU-based Rams have come under head coach Tammi Reiss,” according to the program’s notes.
Rhode Island enters the game with a program-record 15-game win streak and is undefeated at home in Atlantic 10 play this season, standing at 12-0 in conference games so far. The team’s overall home record is 11-1, and it has not lost at the Ryan Center since November. Head coach Tammi Reiss has led her squad to seven consecutive home victories and an overall home record of 75-19 during her tenure, compared to just 15-39 in the previous four years before her arrival.
The Rams are averaging over 72 points per game at home and maintain a scoring margin of +20.6 points at the Ryan Center.
On Wednesday, special promotions will include Pride Night—featuring local LGBTQ+ organizations—and a $5 White Claw deal at concession stands. Additionally, hats will be given away to the first 100 URI students who arrive at the South Lobby of the Ryan Center.
Graduate student Valentina Ojeda will face her former team after transferring from VCU to Rhode Island for this season.
VCU comes into Kingston after losing its last two games, most recently falling to Loyola Chicago by a score of 66-55. The team’s last victory was against Fordham on January 28. With Mary-Anna Asare out for the season due to injury, Katarina Knezevic now leads VCU in both scoring (10.3 points per game) and rebounding (4.9 per game). Kirk Crawford has stepped in as interim head coach for VCU for the remainder of this season.
A win on Wednesday would give Rhode Island its first-ever 13-0 start in Atlantic 10 conference play and extend its historic winning streak further.
