Score: Rhode Island 64, VCU 50
Location:  Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 9-9 (3-3), Rhode Island 8-10 (3-2 A-10)
 
The short story: VCU trailed Rhode Island 16-15 midway through the second quarter but URI used a 13-3 run to lead 31-20 at halftime. VCU was unable to get closer than a nine-point deficit early in the third quarter as Rhode Island pulled away for the win.
 
OPENING TIP:

• Zoli Khalil paced the VCU offense with a career-high 20 points, shooting 7-of-15 from the floor and 2-of-2 from 3-point range
• Mykel Parham had her fifth consecutive game with double-digit rebounds, grabbing a game-high 10
• VCU was outscored 11-5 in points off turnovers, with VCU committing 18 to URI's 12
• Rhode Island shot at a 42.6 percent clip, going 23-of-54 from the floor, while VCU shot 35.8 percent, going 19-of-53
• Harsimran Kaur led Rhode Island with 17 points and nine rebounds

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• VCU and Rhode Island battled neck-and-neck in the opening quarter, VCU ended the period trailing just 13-10
• Rhode Island closed the first half on that 13-3 run, propelled by a pair of field goals from Ines Debroise, to take a 31-20 lead at the break
• In the third quarter, Rhode Island extended their advantage to 49-33 following a 3-pointer at the buzzer from Kaur
• Trying to close in on the deficit, Cyriah Griffin and Khalil made back-to-back 3-pointers to bring the Rams back within 55-45 with 2:45 remaining. The Rams were unable to get any closer to try and complete the comeback

 
UP NEXT:
VCU travels to cross-town rival Richmond on Sunday, Jan. 19, for its first of two meetings with the Spiders. The game will be televised nationally and streamed on CBS Sports Network.