Score:Â VCU 72, UMass 69
Location:Â Kingston, R.I. (Ryan Center)
Record:Â VCU 12-9 (10-4 A-10), UMass 10-6 (6-7 A-10)
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THE SHORT STORY:Â Â VCU recorded a season-high 21 assists and held off a late fourth-quarter UMass rally to secure the win.
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QUICK FACTS
- Taya Robinson scored 17 points and added eight rebounds and five assists in the win
- Chloe Bloom scored a career-high 14 points and grabbed four rebounds
- Samantha Robinson also had a career-high with 13 points along with seven rebounds
- Madison Hattix-Covington was the fourth Ram in double figures, adding 13 points and five rebounds
- Tera Reed had a balanced night with eight points, six assists and six rebounds
- VCU had 21 assists on 26 made field goals, shooting 43.3 percent from the floor. The Minutewomen shot 42.4 percent overall
- VCU had a 15-9 edge in points off turnovers despite both teams committing 13
- UMass was led by Ber'Nyah Mayo who had 20 points and three assists
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was a back-and-forth first quarter, including six lead changes and four ties, with UMass leading 16-15 heading into the second
- The Minutewomen pulled out to a 30-24 lead with 4:28 left before halftime when a Taya Robinson 3-pointer started an 8-0 to put the Rams in the lead at 32-30 with 1:43 left
- The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half and VCU trailed just 35-34 at the break
- After falling behind 39-34 early in the third quarter, the Rams used a 9-1 run capped off by a Samantha Robinson three-point play that put VCU in front 43-40. The Black and Gold led the Minutewomen 55-51 at the end of the quarter
- The Rams used a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter and held their largest lead of the game at 62-51 after a Sarah Te-Biasu 3-pointer
- UMass rallied, outscoring VCU 19-8 after the run to cut the Rams' lead to just 70-69 with 35 seconds remaining
- On the ensuing possession, Reed missed a layup but Taya Robinson was fouled grabbing the rebound and sunk both free throws to seal the win
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NEXT UP
VCU faces Rhode Island in its regular season finale at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28.
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