Final Score: VCU 64, Delaware 55
Location: Henrico, Va. (Henrico Sports Events & Center)
Records: VCU 9-1, Delaware 4-5
 
The Short Story: VCU used a fourth quarter run to pull away from Delaware and open the brand new Henrico Sports & Events Center with a 64-55 win
 
OPENING TIP:

• The Rams' 9-1 start is the best to open a season the Rams went since a 14-1 in 2013-14
• Delaware entered the game averaging but the Rams' defense held the Blue Hens to 36.1 percent
• Mary-Anna Asare led the way with a career-high 19 points on 7-for-18 shooting, including going 4-of-9 from 3-point range
• Jennifer Ezeh recorded her first double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds
• Sarah Te-Biasu scored 16 points, her seventh double figure scoring game of the season, adding a season-high eight assists
• Timaya Lewis-Eutsey finished with 11 points
• VCU dominated the second chance points, outscoring Delaware 24-6 while holding an 18-14 edge in offensive boards
• Delaware was led by Tara Cousins who scored 15 points

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Through the opening period, both sides struggled to adjust early, with the Rams holding Delaware to 20 percent from the field to lead 9-8
• Delaware captilazied on VCU's cold shooting in the second quarter to go on a 16-1 run and lead 24-14 with 4:41 left before half
• The Rams countered with an 10-2 run of their own, cutting the lead to 26-24 on a Ezeh layup with 1:32 to go. A 3-pointer from Asare at buzzer had VCU trailing just 31-27 at the break
• A Te-Biasu 3-pointer capped an 11-6 run to open the third quarter and VCU retook the lead at 36-35 with 5:59 left in the third
• Both sides traded leads over the final six minutes of the period, but at the 1:23 mark Asare drained a 3-pointer to give the lead to VCU at 43-41 and the Rams would not trail again
• Though Delaware briefly tied the game at 45-45 in the fourth quarter, the Rams took full control building a 54-50 lead to a 62-50 lead
• The Rams used an Asare 3-pointer with 2:46 remaining as part of an 8-0 run and VCU held off Delaware for the win

UP NEXT: VCU returns to the Stuart C. Siegel Center on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. when the Rams host Old Dominion at 1 p.m.