Final Score: Middle Tennessee 86, VCU 63

Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Murphy Center)

Records: VCU (4-7), Middle Tennessee (7-4) 

The Short Story: With VCU trailing 25-22 midway through the second quarter, the Blue Raiders went on a 21-6 run to end the half behind their season-high 44.4 percent shooting from 3-point range (12-of-27). The Rams got within 10 points a couple times late in the third quarter but were unable to overcome the deficit.

QUICK FACTS 

• Tera Reed scored a team-high 16 points despite spending most of the night in foul trouble. She went 5-of-9 from the floor and 6-of-8 at the free throw line.
• Danielle Hammond added 15 points and tied a season-high with seven rebounds.
• Sydnei Archie scored four points, had eight rebounds and two assists.
• VCU shot 42.1 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from 3-point range while Middle Tennessee shot 50.9 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from behind the arc.
• MTSU was led by Aislynn Hayes who scored 23 points and went 5-of-9 from 3-point range.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• MTSU got out to a quick 5-0 lead but a quick 8-4 counter got the Rams back within 9-8 with 4:41 left in the first quarter. The Rams ultimately trailed 15-12 at the end of the first quarter.
• With VCU trailing 25-22, the Blue Raiders went on a 21-6 run to end the half with 46-28 lead.
• Hammond went on a personal 9-1 run to start the second half to cut the deficit to 47-37 with 7:55 left in the third quarter.
• VCU would cut the deficit to 10 points two more times in the third quarter before a 15-3 run by Middle Tennessee put the game out of reach.

WHAT'S NEXT

VCU hosts UC Riverside on at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center