Final Score: UMass 83, VCU 57
Location: Amherst, Mass.
Records: VCU 5-14 (2-5 A-10), UMass 16-4 (6-1 A-10)
 
The Short Story:  VCU tried to rally from an early deficit against the Minutewomen but were unable to overcome costly turnovers.

OPENING TIP: 

• Sarah Te-Biasu led the Rams with 12 points and four assists
• Janika Griffith-Wallace had 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds
• Timaya Lewis-Eutsey was the third Ram in double figures with 11 points
• Grace Hutson had nine points and shot 3-of-6 from 3-point range
• UMass held a 28-4 advantage in points off turnovers, forcing 20 VCU turnovers while only committing seven
• VCU shot 39 percent from the floor while UMass shot 48 percent
• The Minutewomen shot 9-of-18 from 3-point range while the Rams shot a season-high 42 percent (8-of-19)
• UMass was led by Sam Breen who scored a game-high 29 points along with 11 rebounds and eight assists. Sydney Taylor also added 21 points

 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• VCU and UMass went back-and-forth to start the game as the Rams held an 8-7 lead with 4:51 left in the first quarter
• The Minutewomen then went on a 17-2 run, spanning across the quarter break, to take a 34-10 lead with 5:58 remaining before halftime
• VCU answered with a 13-2 run of its own, including back-to-back 3-pointers from Hutson, to cut the deficit to 36-23 with 16 seconds left before halftime. UMass hit a four-point play with .6. seconds left before halftime to lead 39-23 at the half
• Griffith-Wallace scored 10 points in the third quarter as the Rams tried to keep pace. VCU got within 48-35 with 5:55 left in the third quarter on her made layup but the Rams would get no closer for the remainder of the contest

UP NEXT:
VCU hosts Loyola-Chicago on Sunday, Jan. 29 for a 1 p.m. tipoff at the Siegel Center. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.