SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (Interstat) — The Rhode Island Rams women’s basketball team used a dominant first-quarter performance to set the tone, cruising to an 84-46 victory over the Merrimack Warriors in a non-conference matchup Friday night at the Ryan Center.

Rhode Island established control from the opening tip, outscoring Merrimack 28-4 in the first quarter. The Rams’ defense was suffocating, forcing numerous early turnovers and converting them into easy baskets. The opening period saw Rhode Island build a lead that the Warriors could not threaten for the remainder of the game.

The Rams improved to 2-0 on the young season, while Merrimack evened its record at 1-1.

Rhode Island’s offense was a balanced and efficient attack, with five players scoring in double figures. Forward Palmire Mbu, a native of Lille, France, led the way with 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a block in 26 minutes of action. She was instrumental in the early surge that decided the contest.

She was complemented by center Albina Syla of Vantaa, Finland, who added 12 points, six rebounds and a block. The Rams’ guard trio was equally effective. Vanessa Harris from Glenarden, Maryland, scored 13 points, while Ines Debroise of Paris, France, filled the stat sheet with 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Sophia Vital of Cambridge, Massachusetts, chipped in six points, four rebounds and four assists.

The Rams dominated the interior, outscoring the Warriors 50-22 in the paint and capitalizing on Merrimack’s mistakes to the tune of 23 points off turnovers.

Merrimack, which struggled to find any offensive rhythm against the relentless Rhode Island defense, was led by guard Mia Fiore. The Narragansett, Rhode Island, native scored a team-high 14 points in 36 minutes. Joi Williams from Twinsburg, Ohio, also reached double figures, contributing 13 points off the bench.

After the lopsided first quarter, the Warriors played more evenly in the second and third quarters, but the massive early deficit proved insurmountable. An announced crowd of 1,008 watched as the Rams maintained their comfortable lead throughout the second half, eventually closing out the 38-point victory.

The game was part of a challenging early-season stretch for both teams. Rhode Island, which entered the game as a heavy favorite with a 94.5 percent probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, will look to continue its winning streak when it hosts Emmanuel on Monday.

Merrimack will aim to rebound on the road at High Point next Wednesday.