Final Score: VCU 52, Loyola Chicago 36
Location: Chicago, Ill. (Gentile Arena)
Records: VCU 15-2 (4-1 A-10), Loyola (8-8, 2-3 A-10)
 
The Short Story: VCU's defense stifled Loyola throughout the contest, limiting the Ramblers to just 26 percent shooting, en route to a dominant win.
 
OPENING TIP:

• Sarah Te-Biasu scored a game-high 26 points, going 8-of-16 from the field and 5-of-10 from 3-point range
• Jennifer Ezeh had eight points and tied for a team-high eight rebounds with Timaya Lewis-Eutsey
• VCU led in rebounds 42-30, marking 16 of 17 games this season that VCU has had at least equal or more rebounds than its opponent. The Rams led 8-0 in second chance points
• VCU shot 36.8 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from 3-point range but held Loyola to shoot just 26 percent from the field and 15 percent from 3-point range
• Loyola was led by Kira Chivers who had eight points

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• VCU started the game on an 12-2 run including back-to-back 3-pointers from Te-Biasu to lead 12-2 with 1:39 left in the first quarter on a Mary-Anna Asare layup
• Loyola cut VCU's lead to 18-14 with 3:02 left before halftime. VCU answered with a 6-0 run to end of the half and led 24-14 at the break after an Ezeh layup
• The Rams pushed their lead to as many as 19 points in the third quarter, leading 35-16 with 5:20 left in the quarter after a Sotelo layup
• The Rambles chipped away at VCU's lead, using a 13-3 run across quarters to cut the deficit to 38-29 with 9:47 left in the fourth quarter
• VCU then held Loyola to shoot just 1-of-16 from the floor to end the game and just 3-of-20 in the fourth quarter
• The Rams' defense allowed VCU to pull away and cruise to the win

UP NEXT: VCU hosts La Salle on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. at the Siegel Center. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.