Score: VCU 73, Coppin State 42
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 1-0, Coppin State 0-1
Attendance: 2,259 

The Short Story: Junior Ashley Pegram led three Rams in double figures with 13 points and VCU used a big first half effort in a convincing, wire-to-wire win over Coppin State before nearly 2,300 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

• Juniors Chadarryl (12 points) and Keira Robinson (10 points) helped Pegram fill up the scorebook for VCU. Robinson added seven assists, six rebounds and three steals in an all-around effort.
• Sophmore forward Curteeona Brelove, who missed most of her freshman year due to injury, recorded a career-best eight points and 10 rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench for the Rams.
• VCU used a balanced attack to roll the Eagles. Nine Rams recorded at least one bucket, and seven players scored at least seven points.
• The Rams, who ranked 29^th in field goal defense last season, limited Coppin State to 33 percent (17-of-52) shooting, including 22 percent (5-of-23) in the first half on the way to a 44-14 lead. 
• Keena Samuels led Coppin State with 12 points and three assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• VCU shot 50 percent (8-of-16) in the first quarter and forced seven turnovers as it raced out to a 25-6 lead. The Eagles managed just two first-quarter field goals. The Rams closed the first quarter on a 14-0 run.
• The Rams did not relent in the second period. Brelove scored four points during a 10-2 burst as VCU pushed its lead to 41-11. Coppin State would get no closer than 20 the rest of the way.

• It was an all-around dominant effort for the Rams. VCU owned a 56-29 advantage on the glass. The Rams also turned 22 Coppin State turnovers into 26 points.  
• VCU outscored the Eagles in the paint 36-20 and 22-3 on second chance opportunities.
• The Rams improved to 10-0 all-time in their series against Coppin State and VCU is now 2-0 in openers under Coach Beth O'Boyle.

• VCU will head to New Rochelle, New York to take on Iona on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS