Score: VCU 57, Providence 51
Location: Riveria Maya, Mexico
Records: VCU 4-2, Providence 3-4
Notes: Cancun Challenge
 
The short story: VCU jumped out to a 36-20 halftime lead and relied on its defense late to thwart a Providence comeback and win the first game of the Cancun Challenge.
 
OPENING TIP:

• Mary-Anna Asare led VCU with 17 points and grabbed six rebounds
• Mykel Parham fell just short of a double-double with eight points and a game-high 10 rebounds
• Eight different Rams scored in the win
• The Rams shot 42.2 percent from the floor and limited the Friars to just 31.5 percent shooting
• VCU had a 33-31 advantage in rebounds and went 15-of-22 from the free throw line while the Friars were 12-of-13
• Providence was led by Grace Efosa who scored a team-high 12 points and grabbed five rebounds

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• VCU and Providence were tied 8-8 with 2:09 left in the first quarter before VCU went on an 11-2 run capped by a Valentina Ojeda jumper at the quarter buzzer to lead 17-10
• The Rams' run continued to build and VCU led 28-10 after an Asare jumper with 3:49 left before halftime. The Rams outscored Providence  20-2 during that nearly nine minute stretch of the contest. VCU would lead 36-20 at halftime
• The Friars used a 7-1 run to cut VCU's 41-26 lead down to 42-33 with 5:28 left in the third. VCU led 51-39 heading into the fourth quarter
• Providence continued to chip away at VCU's lead as the Rams went scoreless for the first 9:18 of the fourth quarter. The Friars got within 51-45 with 6:09 left but VCU's defense held them scoreless until a 3-pointer with 37 seconds remaining.
• VCU scored all six of its fourth quarter points at the free throw line in the final 42 secodns of the game to seal the win

 
UP NEXT:
VCU faces San Diego State at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29 at the Cancun Challenge. The game will be streamed on FloSports.