Final Score: Arizona State 49, VCU 40
Location: Tempe, Ariz. (Desert Financial Arena)
Records: VCU (1-1), ASU (2-0)
 
The Short Story: In a defensive battle, VCU trailed just 35-33 with 7:55 remaining before a 7-0 run by the Sun Devils allowed ASU to slowly pull away for the win.
 
7:55 to 1:55
 
QUICK FACTS

• Madison Hattix-Covington scored a game-high 16 points along with grabbing four rebounds
• Sarah Te-Biasu scored six points along with a team-high eight rebounds and four assists
• Kseniya Malashka recorded a career-high seven blocks along with seven rebounds and five assists
• The Rams' defense held the Sun Devils to just 23.1 percent shooting from the floor (15-of-65) and 6.7 percent from 3-point range (1-of-15)
• The Black and Gold shot just 22.2 percent from the floor (9-of-42) and was 18.8 percent from 3-point range (3-of-16)
• Arizona State held a 53-36 advantage in rebounds, including 26 offensive boards but VCU only trailed 11-8 in second chance points
• VCU played without leading scorer Tera Reed due to injury

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Sun Devils opened the game on a 7-0 run and led 13-7 at the end of the first quarter
• Trailing 17-7, VCU went on a 13-2 run sparked by a Te-Biasu layup and capped off by a Malashka free throw that put VCU in front 20-19 with 2:22 left before halftime
• ASU scored the final three points to lead 22-20 at the break
• The Rams tied the game at 26-26 with 6:28 in the third quarter and stayed within two possessions, trailing 32-30 heading into the fourth quarter
• Arizona State went on a 7-0 run midway through the fourth quarter that left VCU scoreless for just over six minutes to go up 42-33 with 2:17 remaining
• The Sun Devils held off VCU at the free throw line with the Rams only getting as close as 45-40 with 29 seconds remaining

 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
VCU closes out the GSE Tipoff in Tempe, Arizona against Stephen F. Austin at 5 p.m. EST tomorrow, Nov. 28