Final Score: VCU 54, Richmond 51
Location: Richmond, Va. (Robins Center)
Records: VCU 4-11 (1-2 A-10), Richmond 11-5 (1-2 A-10)
 
The Short Story: VCU, powered by Sarah Te-Biasu's career-high 26 points, held off a second half rally to beat crosstown rival Richmond.
 
OPENING TIP: 

• Te-Biasu's 26 points were on 8-of-15 shooting. She shot a blistering 4-of-8 from 3-point range
• Timaya Lewis-Eutsey had a career-high 10 rebounds along with five points and three assists
• Mykel Parham added four points and nine rebounds
• VCU grabbed a season-high 47 rebounds, including 33 defensive boards, while Richmond had 41 rebounds
• The Rams limited Richmond to shoot just 16 percent (4-of-25) from 3-point range while VCU shot 24 percent (7-of-29)
• The Spiders were led by Sydney Boone who had a team-high 13 points and four rebounds

HOW IT HAPPENED: 
 

• VCU opened the game on 7-0 run, capped off by a Mary-Anna Asare 3-pointer
• The Rams defense clamped down early, forcing Richmond to shoot 0-of-9 from the floor and holding the Spiders scoreless until there was 5:01 left in first quarter
• After a 6-0 run by Richmond made it 7-6 with 3:59 left in first, the Rams responded with a 6-2 run, capped by a Lewis-Eutsey three-point play. VCU led 13-8 heading into the second
• The Spiders cut the VCU lead to 19-17 with 3:27 left before halftime but a 7-0 run, jumpstarted by a Parham jumper, put VCU up 26-17 at the half
• VCU held Richmond to 19% shooting in the first half and 1-of-16 from 3-point range (3%) while the Rams shot 26 percent from the field and 23 percent from 3-point range (3-of-13)
• The Rams started the third quarter on a 6-0 run to go up 32-17 on a Te-Biasu layup, marking VCU's largest lead of the game. The Spiders climbed back into the game after a 16-3 trimmed the Rams' lead to 35-33
• Richmond, who shot 47% in the second half, took its first lead at 42-40 with 5:40 left in the contest
• There were six lead changes and four ties in the fourth quarter. The Rams took the lead for good on a Te-Biasu layup with 50 seconds remaining at 50-49. Te-Biasu then went 4-of-4 at the free throw line to seal the win

UP NEXT:
VCU hosts George Mason at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Siegel Center. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.