The Basics

• Score: VCU 64, Rhode Island 48
• Records: VCU (10-5, 1-1), Rhode Island (9-5, 1-01
• Location: Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center inside the HDL, Inc. Athletic Village – Richmond, Va.
• Short Story: Behind a fast start and a total team effort, VCU powered past Rhode Island on Thursday night to extend its home win streak to 11. Four players scored in double figures with Monnazjea Finney-Smith leading the way with 14. Adaeze Alaeze registered a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

How It Happened

• VCU got off to a fast start taking an 11-0 lead before Rhode Island got on the board with a layup from Symone Bullard at the 13:25 mark in the first half. 
• Rhode Island went 5-of-21 in the first shooting just 23.8 percent.
• A layup from Adaeze Alaeze capped the first half, giving VCU a comfortable 40-17 lead.
• Monnazjea Finney-Smith was a perfect 3-for-3 from long range in the first half, leading VCU with 11 points.  The sophomore finished 4-of-6 from behind the arc.
• Despite opening the second half with four points, URI went scoreless for nearly five minutes, as VCU maintained a 43-28 lead.
• URI began to chip away at VCU's lead coming within 14 with a little under four left to play. It wasn't enough as VCU continued to pull away, securing the 64-48 victory.

Beyond the Box Score

• VCU held URI to just 17 points in the first half which is the fewest points VCU has allowed this season. The Rams held North Carolina A&T to 20 points in the first half on December 30.
• The Rams are 10-0 when they hold a lead with 5:00 minutes remaining.
• The win extends the Rams home win streak extends to 11, which is currently tied for the 18^th best in the nation.
• With her 14 rebounds Thursday night, that is a new career-best for Alaeze.

Up Next

• VCU will play at Saint Louis on Monday (January 12). Game time is set for 8:00pm.