Score: VCU 57, Charlotte 49
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 7-1, Charlotte 5-4
 
The Short Story: Mary-Anna Asare tied a career-high with 17 points, and VCU's vaunted defense claimed another victim Saturday at the Siegel Center. With the win, VCU improved to 7-1 this season.
 
OPENING TIP

• Asare converted 5-of-11 attempts from the floor, including 2-of-4 from beyond the 3-point arc. She knocked down all five of her free throw attempts and added six rebounds and four assists
• Zoli Khalil poured in a season-high 11 points for the Black and Gold
• Sarah Te-Biasu and Jennifer Ezeh added seven points apiece. Ezeh also supplied eight rebounds
• Dazia Lawrence led the Charlotte attack with 17 points

 
THE DIFFERENCE

• Charlotte shot .315 (17-of-54) from the field in the contest, including .267 (4-of-15) from 3-point range as VCU held an opponent under 50 points for the third time this season
• Te-Biasu sparked a 7-0 VCU run to open the second quarter with a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer to give the Rams a 16-12 lead with 7:37 left in the period. VCU would not trail again. Asare sent the Black and Gold into the locker room with a 27-23 lead with a 3-pointer and a driving layup in the waning moments of the period
• Asare scored five straight points early in the fourth to push the Rams to their largest lead at 47-37 with 7:24 remaining. Charlotte would get no closer than five the rest of the way
• VCU owned a 39-37 rebounding advantage and outscored the 49ers 26-20 in the paint
• Charlotte shot .500 (5-of-10) in the first period and .273 (12-of-44) in the final three quarters

 
NOTABLE

• VCU has won four straight to improve to 7-1 for the first time since the 2013-14 season, when the Rams opened at 14-1
• The Rams led Saturday's contest for 28:39

 
NEXT UP
The Rams will host Le Moyne on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the Siegel Center at 6 p.m.