RAMS ROLL TO 81-59 WIN OVER HIGH POINT IN FRONT OF NEARLY 2,000 ON EDUCATION DAY

Box Score

The Basics

Score: VCU 81, High Point 59
Records: VCU (6-4), High Point (7-3)
Location: Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center inside the HDL, Inc. Athletic Village – Richmond, Va.
Short Story: In front of nearly 2,000 fans, the VCU women's cruised to a 81-59 victory over High Point for their eighth straight win at home. Sophomore Isis Thorpe scored a season-high 22 points, including five three-pointers. Ashley Pegram (12), Monnazjea Finney-Smith (11) and Adaeze Alaeze (10) all finished in double-figures as well for the Rams, who have now won three of their past four contests.
Video: Highlights

How It Happened

It was a back-and-forth battle for the first 10 minutes with six ties and eight lead changes.
With the scored tied at 18-18, Thorpe hit back-to-back three-pointers to ignite a 11-0 run that gave VCU a 29-18 advantage.
VCU would maintain their lead and redshirt junior Melanie Royster hit a shot at the first half buzzer to send the Rams to the locker room with a 37-29 lead.
In the first half, the VCU defense held the Panthers to only 11 percent from behind the arc.
High Point rallied back after the break coming within one, 47-46 before Monnazjea Finney-Smith hit a three to extend the Rams lead, 50-46, it's the closest the Panthers would come the rest of the day.
With the score sitting at 60-53, VCU ramped up the pressure and held HPU scoreless for over five minutes, putting together a 16-0 run and grabbing a 76-53 lead.
The Rams were aggressive in the second half, making 25 trips to the charity stripe and connecting on 21 of those to seal the win.

Quotable

"What a great atmosphere today. I'm so thankful for all the teachers and those who made today happen. It's so exciting for our players to play for a crowd like that. It was a special day for all the elementary schools. We are so grateful to the Richmond schools for coming out today." --Head Coach Beth O'Boyle
"Overall I thought our team came out really hard and really intense. They did a great job of going to the offensive glass, that was one of the points that we made. Foul shooting wins games and the last two games, we've done a really good job from the line and that's really made a big difference." --Head Coach Beth O'Boyle
"Isis is a real difficult cover when she can shoot outside, she has great footwork for that pull-up jumper. She's just explosive with the ball. On the other side, we look to her to rebound for us, and she did that as well today. I think she played both sides of the floor today and she was just great." --Head Coach Beth O'Boyle

Beyond the Box Score

Isis Thorpe recorded a new season-best of 22 points. She knocked down a season-high five 3-pointers.
With the win, VCU extends its home win streak to eight games, dating back to January 25 when the Rams defeated George Mason 112-86.
The Rams are 6-0 this season when leading with 5:00 minutes left.
That was Head Coach Beth O'Boyle's 99th career win.

Up Next

VCU continues its homestand on Sunday, December 21, as the team entertains Texas-Pan American. Game time is set for 1:00p.m.