Final Score: VCU 56, Stony Brook 48
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 16-11, Stony Brook 23-6
 
The Short Story: VCU's defense held Stony Brook to shoot just 14 percent in the second half as the Rams rode their defense to a WNIT first round win.
 
OPENING TIP:

• Taya Robinson scored a game-high 20 points, going an 8-of-19 from the floor
• The Rams' limited Stony Brook to just 29 percent shooting (15-of-52) from the field and 19 percent from 3-point range (3-of-16)
• Janika Griffith-Wallace had nine points and a team-high five rebounds
• VCU has advanced to the second round of the WNIT each of the past two tournaments it has played in
• Stony Brook was led by India Pagan who had 11 points and nine rebounds

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle with VCU getting out to a 10-5 lead after a Grace Hutson reverse layup with 3:28 left in the quarter. Stony Brook was able to use a 6-2 run to end the quarter and cut its deficit to 13-11
• The Seawolves shot 58.3 percent in the second quarter while the Rams shot just 33.3 percent to take a 29-27 lead at halftime
• VCU was able to keep the game close by forcing five Stony Brook turnovers and outrebounding the Seawolves 9-0 on the offensive glass. VCU outscored the Seawolves 7-3 in points off turnovers and 6-0 in second chance points
• The Rams held Stony Brook to shoot just 15 percent in the third quarter (2-of-13) while shooting 31 percent and led 38-37 heading into the final quarter
• The Rams pulled away with a 9-0 midway through the fourth quarter capped off by a Griffith-Wallace jumper with 5:54 remaining. The shot gave VCU a 47-39 lead. The Rams held the Seawolves scoreless for 4:37 of game time during that stretch
• VCU went without a field goal for the final 5:54 but won the game at the free throw line by going 7-of-10 at the line to close the game

 
UP NEXT:
VCU will travel to face Seton Hall on Monday, March 21^st for a 7 p.m. tip in South Orange, N.J.