The Basics

• Score: VCU 61, St. Bonaventure 51
• Records: VCU (13-6, 4-2), St. Bonaventure (11-8, 1-5)
• Location: Reilly Center – Olean, NY
• Short Story: VCU overcame a 13-point deficit in the first half and battled St. Bonaventure down to the wire on Wednesday night at the Reilly Center, to secure a 61-51 victory. 

How It Happened

• St. Bonaventure got off to a 12-0 start until Adaeze Alaeze connected on a pair of free throw nearly seven minutes into the game to put the Rams on the board. 
• Isis Thorpe knocked down a shot from behind the arc to cut St. Bonaventure's lead to four, 17-13.  The Bonnies responded by reclaiming a 10-point lead.
• In the closing minutes of the half, VCU went on a 7-0 run capped by a Chadarryl Clay 3-pointer with 25 seconds left, putting the Rams within three, 25-22, at the half.
• Behind a layup from Alaeze, the Rams tied the game at 27-27, and both teams exchanged baskets. Camille Calhoun gave VCU its first lead of the game, 33-31, with 13:09 left on the clock. After taking the lead, VCU dominated the second half; however the Bonnies would not go quietly. 
• Down to the wire, both teams battled at the line. With less than a minute remaining, Keira Robinson connected on a free throw to put the Rams ahead nine, 55-46, which was their largest lead of the game, but SBU's Mariah Ruff hit a 3-pointer cutting VCU's lead to six.
• The Rams held off St. Bonaventure to secure a 61-51 lead and improve to the 13-6 overall and a 4-2 mark in Atlantic 10 play.

Beyond the Box Score

• This was the third-ever meeting between the two schools. VCU holds the all-time series record at 3-0.
• Melanie Royster has 75 career blocks, which is seventh all-time. The redshirt junior is three shy of taking over sixth place.
• The Rams are 13-0 when leading with 5:00 minutes left.

Quotable

• "I thought we were getting good shots, they just weren't falling for us early, but the team grinded for us. Over all it was a great team effort. I'm proud of the way they bounced back. It's definitely a grueling scheduling, we're all over the country. It was a tough one for us at Fordham, we thought we could have done things better. They showed great focus today and really got after it." -- Head Coach Beth O'Boyle
• On Dayton: "We need everybody there [at the Siegel Center]. Dayton is obviously one of the best teams in the country right now, and they really have a lot of offensive scorers. We are excited. It's a great thing to have them come in to your home floor and we can't wait for The Peppas to be loud, and us having a shot at going at the best team in the league." -- Head Coach Beth O'Boyle

Up Next

• VCU will return home to the Verizon Wireless Arena to entertain Dayton on Saturday (Jan. 24). Game time is set for 1:00pm.