Final Score: VCU 57, Fordham 54
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 14-2 (3-1 A-10), UMass 6-10 (1-4 A-10)
 
The Short Story: VCU held off a furious fourth-quarter rally from Fordham after forcing two turnovers in the final 31 seconds.
 
OPENING TIP:
 

• Timaya Lewis-Eutsey led VCU with 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting. She also grabbed four rebounds. It marked her seventh straight game scoring in double figures
• Sarah Te-Biasu scored 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting and also had three assists, her 11^th game of the season scoring in double figures
• The Rams held a 19-9 advantage in points off turnovers and a 10-4 advantage in second chance points
• Grace Hutson had a season-high seven points off the bench to help VCU to a 16-7 advantage in bench points
• Fordham was led by Taylor Donaldson who scored a game-high 27 points, going 4-of-9 from 3-point range

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The opening period was back-and-forth, featuring three ties and four lead changes. VCU eventually held a 16-12 lead going into the second
• After trading baskets to start the second quarter, VCU buckled down on defense. The Rams held Fordham scoreless for the final 6:07 of the second quarter while going on a 6-0 run to lead 31-18 at the half
• The Rams maintained a double-digit lead in the third period and led by as much as 16 points at 42-26 with 3:33 left in the third quarter
• Fordham was able to chip away at VCU's lead, going on a 14-2 run spanning across the third and fourth quarters to get within 48-45 with 4:10 left in the game
• Te-Biasu tried to end the run, answering with a 3pointer with 2:46 left to put VCU back up 51-45
• Fordham answered with a 5-0 spurt from Donaldson, a 3-pointer and jumper to cut the Rams lead back to one at 51-50.
• With 49 seconds left in the game, Hutson connected on a 3-pointer from the left corner to put VCU up 54-50
• After a foul and a made free throw gave VCU a 55-50 lead, Donaldson banked in three pointer and completed a four-point play to make it 55-54
• VCU's defense was  able to force a Fordham turnover with four seconds left to seal the win

NOTEABLE:

• With the victory, VCU remains undefeated at home this season (8-0)
• Deniz Torgut made her first career start, scoring five points and grabbing two rebounds

UP NEXT: VCU travels to take on Loyola Chicago on Saturday, January 13th at 2 p.m. The contest will be streamed on ESPN+.