Score: VCU 72, LIU 42
Location: Â Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 6-6, LIU 3-9
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The short story: VCU raced out to a 25-4 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back in a dominant win over LIU to conclude non-conference play.
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OPENING TIP:
- Mary-Anna Asare led VCU with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting and four defensive rebounds
- Grace Hutson was the other Ram in double figures, scoring 11 points and shoot 3-of-5 from the 3-point line
- Deniz Torgut and Mykel Parham paced the Rams with five rebounds apiece
- VCU led 19-1 in second chance points and held a 42-28 edge in total rebounds
- 44 of the Rams' points were scored in the paint, compared to the Sharks' 16
- VCU shot 45 percent from the floor while the Sharks shot just 31 percent
- The 42 points were a season-low for a VCU opponent this season
- LIU was led by Janessa Williams who had a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Rams took a commanding 16-2 lead in the first five minutes aided by a pair of Hutson 3-pointers
- VCU led 30-9 early in the second quarter before a 14-5 run by LIU got the Sharks within 35-23. A layup by Mykel Parham gave the Rams a 37-23 lead at the half
- The Rams dominated the third quarter with a 20-0 run, spanning 9:54. LIU picked up its first and only point of the third quarter on a free throw with under six seconds remaining in the period
- An 8-0 run in the fourth quarter produced the Rams' largest lead of the day, a 36-point lead at 69-33 with 2:33 left on the clock
- VCU led by at least 28Â points the entire fourth quarter
NOTABLE:
- The Rams surrendered just one point in the third quarter and didn't allow a field goal, their best single-quarter defensive performance since quarters were introduced
- VCU allowed a season-low 42 points, topping their performance in a 72-43 win against Delaware State on Dec. 9
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UP NEXT:
VCU will travel to Philadelphia, Pa., to conclude the 2024 portion of its schedule with its Atlantic 10 opener against Saint Joseph's on Dec. 29. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.