Final Score: VCU 53, La Salle 38
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 7-14 (4-5 A-10), La Salle 14-9 (5-3 A-10)
 
The Short Story: The Rams trailed the Explorers 29-24 early in the third quarter before a 16-0 run blew the game open. VCU's stifling defense then pinned La Salle down, not allowing a point over the final 7:30 of the contest, en route to the win.
 
OPENING TIP: 

• VCU held La Salle to a season-low 38 points in the Rams' best defensive game of the year
• Four Rams scored in double figures led by Grace Hutson who scored a career-high 14 points, shooting 6-of-8 in the game. She also tied a career-high with five rebounds
• Janika Griffith-Wallace had 13 points along with six rebounds, four assists and three steals
• Timaya Lewis-Eutsey scored 11 points with five rebounds and Mary-Anna Asare had 10 points, four rebounds and three steals
• The Rams controlled the boards, outrebounding the Explorers 45-33
• VCU forced 18 turnovers and held a 23-14 advantage in points off turnovers
• The Rams held La Salle to just 23.6 percent from the floor and 3-of-23 (13.0 percent) from 3-point range while the Rams shot 37.5 percent overall and 33.3 percent from deep 
• Mia Jacobs led La Salle with a team-high 10 points
   

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The first quarter was a defensive battle as neither team was able to gain an edge. Hutson hit a 3-pointer with 4:01 left in the first quarter to give VCU a 13-10 lead but neither team scored for the remainder of the quarter
• Both teams struggled again to score in the second quarter as La Salle outscored VCU 11-8 in the frame to tie the game at halftime, 21-21
• At the 6:54 mark of the third quarter, VCU's offense exploded for a 16-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back Griffith-Wallace 3-points. The Rams led by as many as 11 points during the run
• VCU's defense held La Salle to shoot just 4-of-19 attempts during the third quarter and led 40-31 heading into the fourth
• La VCU finished off the game on an 11-0 run as their defense held La Salle scoreless for the last 7:04 of the game
• La Salle was held scoreless for the final 7:30 of the game as the Rams pulled away for the win

 
UP NEXT:
VCU travels to Duquesne on Saturday, Feb. 4 for a 2 p.m. tipoff. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.