HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Virginia Commonwealth University had four players score in double figures but couldn't overcome an early first half deficit as the Rams fell 74-66 against Hofstra Thursday afternoon at the Mack Sports Complex.

VCU drops to 16-8 overall and 9-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association, while Hofstra improves to 14-10, 7-5 in conference action.

Senior forward D'Andra Moss registered a team-high 18 points for VCU, while senior guard Kita Waller contributed 16 points and a game-high five steals.  Junior guard Ebony Patterson and sophomore forward Courtney Hurt added 10 points apiece for the Rams.

Hofstra's Nicole Capurso came off the bench to lead all scorers with 19 points and Sam Brigham registered 17, including 12-of-12 shooting from the line.  Shante Evans posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds and Jess Fuller chipped in 10 points in a reserve role.

VCU took an early 4-3 advantage on a layup by Hurt at the 17:06 mark in the first half but it was the last time the Rams would lead the remainder of the game as Hofstra went ahead on the following possession.

The Black & Gold pulled within two twice over the next four minutes and got within 10-8 on a layup by Moss with 13:04 showing.  However, Hofstra used a 7-0 run capped off by a pair of Brigham free throws and the Pride took a 17-8 advantage with 11:04 to go.

Waller hit two from the line and Patterson converted a traditional three-point play to pull VCU within 17-13 three possessions later.

Hofstra went back on top 25-17 following a jumper by Candace Bond with 7:59 to go before the break, but VCU again cut the Hofstra lead to 26-22 on a Waller layup with 2:25 remaining.

Hofstra closed the half with a 7-2 run and took a 33-24 advantage into the locker room.

VCU shot just 28.6 percent (6-of-21) from the field in the first half but was able to keep the score close early by hitting its first 11 from the free throw line.  The Rams, who average just 16.4 turnovers per game, committed 15 of its 22 miscues in the opening period.

The Rams scored eight of the first 12 points of the second half to pull within 37-32 on a jumper by Patterson with 16:50 remaining.

Following a Hofstra timeout, Capurso hit a 3-pointer from the left corner to put the Pride back on top 40-32 less than a minute later.  Hofstra continued to pressure and increased its lead to 51-37 on a jumper by Aamira Terry with 10:19 to go.

The Rams chipped away and forced back-to-back turnovers as Taylor hit a jumper at the 6:13 mark to pull VCU within 59-50.  Waller converted a traditional three-point play on the next possession to get within 59-53.

Moss then drained a triple from the top of the arc and the Rams trailed 59-56 with 5:28 remaining.  However, the Pride settled down and reeled off six-straight points and went back on top 65-56 with 3:20 to go.  VCU could only get within six points the rest of the way.

VCU returns to the Verizon Wireless Arena on Sunday, February 14 for a 2 p.m. matchup against Drexel.