Final Score: VCU 72, UMASS 60
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 7-6 (2-1 A-10), UMASS 13-2 (1-0 A-10)
 
The Short Story: VCU held a 40-35 halftime lead but UMass shot 66.7 percent from 3-point range and 53.6 percent from the field in the second half and held off the Rams for the win.
 
OPENING TIP:

• Taya Robinson led the Rams with 18 points on 6-14 shooting from the field
• Janika Griffith-Wallace contributed 12 points, hitting a season high four 3-pointers
• Sarah Te-Biasu chipped in 10 points on 4-of-12 with two rebounds
• The Minutewomen outscored VCU 17-6 in points off turnovers and 36-22 in points in the paint
• UMass was led by Sydney Taylor who had a career-high 32 points and four rebounds while shooting 12-of-21 from the field

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• VCU utilized a 7-2 scoring run sparked by a Robinson 3-point play at 6:37 in the first quarter to put the Rams up 13-8
• VCU held a 15-14 lead after the first quarter of action after Robinson scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field early
• The Rams went on a 16-6 run in the second quarter that began with a second-chance jumper from Grace Hutson and ended with a 3-point play from Madison Hattix-Covington to put VCU up 34-25 with 4:39 remaining in the quarter
• VCU weathered an 8-0 scoring run from UMass late in the second quarter and held a 40-35 lead at half
• Robinson led all first half scorers with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field
• UMass opened the second half on a 11-0 run that was eventually ended with a Griffith-Wallace three with 4:57 remaining in the quarter
• UMass led 51-45 at the start of the fourth quarter and held off VCU's late rally

 
UP NEXT:
VCU hosts Fordham on Wednesday, January 12th for a 1 p.m. tip. The game will be streamed on ESPN+