Score: VCU 79, George Washington 68
Location: Washington, D.C. (The Charles E. Smith Center)
Records: VCU 19-8 (8-6 A-10), George Washington 21-6 (11-3 A-10)

The Short Story: Sophomore Curteeona Brelove and junior Isis Thorpe scored 17 points each to spur VCU to a 79-68 win at first place and defending conference champion George Washington Sunday. The Rams improved to 8-6 in the Atlantic 10 Conference with the win. 

OPENING TIP

• Curteeona Breelove has played well of late and continued that trend with 17 points and 11 rebounds to earn her third double-double of the season. The sophomore also led the team with three blocks.
• Thorpe shrugged off some recent struggles and rebounded with a strong game. The junior made eight of 12 shots and dished out two assists against the Colonials.
• Adaeze Alaeze nearly recorded her third double-double of the season, finishing the game with nine points and seven rebounds. The senior served up a team-high six assists, adding a block and four steals.
• Keira Robinson and Ashley Pegram each scored 11 points. Robinson handed out four assists and came away with two steals.
• Jessica Ogunnorin scored eight points and grabbed 12 boards in an all-around effort on the court. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Alaeze broke a 51-51 third quarter tie with a free-throw, but the Colonials answered to take their first and only lead of the game.
• Ogunnorin drained a jumper just before the end of the quarter to regain the lead at 54-53.
• Up one point after three quarters of play, VCU opened the fourth with an 8-0 run to take a 62-53 lead.
• The teams traded free-throws in the fourth with the Rams padding their advantage.
• VCU added six more points at the foul line in the final minutes of the game. The team's 79 points is its second-most this season.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• VCU limited George Washington to 38.4 percent (28-of-73) shooting in the game.
• The Colonials were held to just 2-of-14 (14.3 percent) shooting from three-point range.
• The Rams outrebounded their opponent 46 to 41 and scored 21 points off of second chance opportunities.
• VCU scored 40 of their points in the paint and the bench contributed 17.
• The win is the Rams' first overGeorge Washngton.

WHAT'S NEXT
VCU returns home for Senior Night on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Tip-off against George Mason is set for 7 p.m.