Final Score: Howard 79, VCU 67
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 3-9, Howard 4-9
 
The Short Story: A back-and-forth first half gave way in the third quarter as Howard went on a 14-2 run and never relinquished the lead.
 
OPENING TIP: 

• Mary-Anna Asare scored a team-high 13 points and seven rebounds
• Keowa Walters had 10 points and six rebounds
• The Rams recorded a season-high 17 assists in the game while Asare had a new career-high with four assists
• VCU controlled the boards, grabbing 42 rebounds compared to Howard's 30. Mykel Parham had a team-high eight rebounds
• Howard's Destiny Howell scored a game-high 35 points and went 9-of-13 from beyond the arc. The Bison shot 12-of-20 from deep in the game while VCU was 7-of-22
• Howard forced 21 VCU turnovers and only gave up possession 11 times. They outscored VCU 28-15 in points off turnovers

 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The Rams scored the first four points of the game before the Bison went on a 15-4 run to lead 15-8 with 3:07 left in the first quarter
• VCU worked its way back into the contest and cut the deficit to 19-17 on an Asare layup with 9:20 left in the second quarter
• The Bison pushed their lead back to 33-25 with 2:21 left before halftime but a 7-0 run by VCU, capped by a Parham free throw, cut the Bison lead to 33-32. Howard made one free throw on the ensuing possession to give Howard a 34-32 lead at halftime
• Howard came out hot in the third quarter, going on a 14-2 run, and led by as many as 17 points
• The Rams cut the lead to 10 points on two separate occasions in the fourth quarter but were unable to overcome the deficit

 
UP NEXT:
VCU begins Atlantic 10 play at the Siegel Center with a game against Saint Louis on Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. The game can be streamed on ESPN+.