Score:  VCU 84, La Salle 76

Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)

Records: VCU 17-7 (6-5), La Salle 3-20 (0-10)

The Short Story: VCU defeated the La Salle Explorers 84-76 in Philadelphia on Super Bowl Sunday. With the win, the Rams pull to an even 2-2 against La Salle all-time and are back above .500 in the Atlantic 10.

OPENING TIP

• Adaeze Alaeze and Isis Thorpe led the way for the Rams, putting up 23 and 21 points respectively. Alaeze also added five assists, four rebounds, two blocks and two steals in an all around effort n the court Thorpe recorded a block and a steal while grabbing four boards.
• Curteeona Brelove reached double figures, scoring 11 points.
• Keira Robinson put up eights points and five rebounds with a team-high six assists.
• Ashley Pegram chipped in eight points and a block. Jessica Ogunnorin led the team with 12 rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Tied 19-19 after one quarter, the Explorers opened the 2^nd with an 8-2 run to create a six-point cushion.
• VCU answered, scoring 10 more points before the break to make it a one-possession game at halftime.
• Alaeze scored five straight to open the third quarter and give the Rams a three-point advantage.
• La Salle was able to keep it close in the third, but VCU pulled out to a four-point lead at the end of the quarter on a Thorpe jumper.
• The Rams built a 10-point lead in the fourth, but the Explorers fought back to tie the game at 69-69 on a three-pointer with 16 seconds remaining in regulation.
• The Rams inbounded with 13 seconds left on the clock, but were unable to put the game away and another five minutes was put on the board.
• The Rams scored the first four points in overtime and outscored La Salle the rest of the way to seal the victory.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Rams caused 12 turnovers and have forced double-digit turnovers in each game this season. The Black and Gold lead the A10 in turnovers forced and turnover margin.
• VCU came up with six steals and scored 16 of their points off of La Salle mistakes.
• The Rams outrebounded their opponent 33 to 32.
• VCU scored 34 of their points in the paint and eight off of second chance opportunities. The bench chipped in 19 points.
• With the win, the Rams advanced to 2-2 all-time against the Explorers and moved to 6-5 in the Atlantic 10.

WHAT'S NEXT

VCU will return to the court next Sunday, Feb. 14^th as they face-off against the Spiders. Tip-off at Richmond is set for 2 p.m.