Final Score: VCU 72, Saint Joseph's 64
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 7-5 (2-0 A-10), Saint Joseph's 4-9 (0-1 A-10)
 
The short story: Taya Robinson scored a career-high 26 points as VCU held off a late Saint Joseph's rally in a 72-64 win.

OPENING TIP:

• Robinson went 9-of-16 from the floor to lead all scorers, also grabbing five rebounds and adding an assist
• Janika Griffith-Wallace tied a season-high with 17 points and added a team-high eight rebounds along with a season-high five assists
• Madison Hattix-Covington also scored in double figures for the Rams with 13 points. She shot 3-of-4 from 3-point range
• VCU went 13-of-20 at the free throw line while the Hawks were just 4-of-6
• The Hawks were led by Elizabeth Marsicano with 23 points

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Rams built a 13-point lead in the first quarter, going 9-of-17 from the floor and forcing five turnovers. VCU led the Hawks 22-9 at the end of the first
• VCU went on an 8-0 midway through the second quarter capped by a pair of Keowa Walters free throws to lead 30-15 with 6:15 left before halftime. VCU held a 34-23 lead at the half
• Robinson scored 13 of VCU's 22 points in the third quarter as the Rams built a 56-40 lead heading into the fourth quarter
• The Hawks came within five points twice in the fourth quarter, the first with 5:02 remaining until Hattix-Covington and Griffith-Wallace scored back-to-back buckets to push the lead back to 65-55
• Saint Joseph's once again came within 65-60 with 2:20 remaining but the Rams pulled away to seal the win

 
UP NEXT
VCU hosts Massachusetts on Wednesday, January 12 for a 6 p.m. tipoff. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.