Final Score:  VCU 62, La Salle 56
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. (Tom Gola Arena)
Records: VCU 10-8 (5-3 A-10), La Salle 12-9 (5-4 A-10)
 
The short story: VCU trailed 38-36 midway through the third quarter before clamping down defensively and using a 16-5 run to take the lead for good.
 
OPENING TIP:

• Taya Robinson scored a team-high 21 points along with eight rebounds, four steals and three assists
• Madison Hattix-Covington had her first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds
• Sarah Te-Biasu had 14 points and shot 4-of-9 from 3-point range
• The Rams shot 42.9 percent from the floor and 42.1 percent from 3-point range
• VCU outscored the Explorers 14-7 in second chance points off of 16 offensive rebounds. The Rams had a 39-24 edge in total rebounds
• The Explorers were led by Kayla Spruill who had 18 points and six rebounds

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The game started on a 15-5 run by VCU that was capped off with a Robinson 3-pointer with 4:55 left that forced La Salle to take a timeout. The Rams held a 20-14 lead heading into the second quarter
• The Explorers went on an 11-4 run to start the second and took a 25-24 lead on a Gabby Crawford 3-pointer with 5:41 left before halftime
• The two teams traded baskets and were tied 31-31 at the half with Te-Biasu and Robinson combining for 18 of VCU's 31 points
• After a defensive battle to start the third quarter and the Rams trailing 38-36, VCU went on a 16-5 run spanning across the third and fourth quarter to build a 52-43 lead with 6:43 left
• The Explorers would get no closer than five points until a Molly Masciantonio 3-pointer with just six seconds left made it 60-56. Grace Hutson hit a layup for the Rams at the buzzer to end the game

 
UP NEXT
VCU hosts George Washington at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 6 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and air locally in the Richmond area on television on CBS 6.3.