Score: VCU 82, George Mason 63

Location: Fairfax, Va. (EagleBank Arena)

Records: VCU 11-8 (6-0 A-10), George Mason (7-13, 1-6 A-10)

The short story: A 14-2 run by VCU at the end of the third quarter allowed the Rams to pull away from George Mason and cruise to a win over their in-state rival.

OPENING TIP

• VCU improved to 6-0 in the Atlantic 10, marking the first time since 2009-10 that VCU has started 6-0 in conference play.
• Madison Hattix-Covington scored a career-high 23 points along with five rebounds and two assists.
• Danielle Hammond had 13 points, eight rebounds and a career-high six blocks.
• Tera Reed had 14 points, going 4-of-9 from the floor and 6-of-8 from the free throw line. She's scored 14 or more points in 10 of the last 11 games for VCU.
• Taya Robinson added 10 points and four assists to round out the four Rams in double figures.
• VCU shot 46.2 percent from the floor while limiting Mason to shoot just 28.4 percent.
• George Mason was led by Nicole Cardano-Hillary who had a game-high 28 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Rams started the game on a 6-0 run before the Patriots responded with a 5-0 run to make it 6-5 with 5:16 left in the first quarter.
• VCU then went on a 12-3 run and led 18-10 at the end of the first quarter.
• A high-scoring second quarter by both teams ended with Hattix-Covington making a long 3-pointer to end the half with the Rams leading 42-30.
• George Mason climbed back within 50-44 with 4:18 remaining in the third quarter before a 14-2 run gave VCU a 64-46 lead wth 49 seconds remaining.
• The Rams would build their lead to as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter and held off the Patriots.

NEXT UP

VCU hosts Fordham at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.