Final Score: VCU 61, Rhode Island 49

Location: Kingston, R.I. (Ryan Center)

Records: VCU 4-12 (1-3 A-10), Rhode Island 2-15 (0-4, A-10)

The Short Story: VCU jumped on Rhode Island early and built a 16-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Rams led wire-to-wire and held a double digit lead for the final 23:02 of regulation.

QUICK FACTS

• Tera Reed scored a team-high 14 points along with six rebounds.
• Niya Johnson had 13 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting including going 3-of-3 from 3-point range. She also added five rebounds.
• Nyra Williams scored six points while contributing six rebounds, five assists and no turnovers.
• Sydnei Archie also scored in double figures with 10 points and six boards.
• Eight different Rams scored at least two points in the win.
• VCU shot 41.7 percent from the field and limited Rhode Island to just 29 percent and 22.7 percent from three.
• Rhode Island was led by Nicole Jorgensen who had 16 points and nine rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• VCU jumped out to a quick start and led Rhode Island 16-5 at the end of the first quarter.
• During the first quarter, VCU had five different Rams score at least two points. Taya Robison led the way as she scored five points during the frame.
• Rhode Island cut the deficit to 18-11 with 7:01 left before halftime but VCU closed the quarter on a 14-4 run sparked by three consecutive buckets from Reed and back-to-back 3-pointers from Johnson.
• VCU held a 32-15 lead at halftime.
• Rhode Island attempted a comeback in the third quarter and got within 38-28 with 3:13 left in the third quarter and trailed just 46-35 heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.
• VCU expanded its lead to 52-38 with 7:04 left in regulation and maintained a double digit lead for the remainder of the contest.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Rams return home to host Fordham on Sunday Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. at the E.J. Wade Arena.