Score: Massachusetts 54, VCU 49
Location:  Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 10-11 (4-5), Massachusetts 10-10 (5-4)
 
The short story: VCU held the Massachusetts offense to just two points in the final 5:50, but fell short of a comeback against the Minutewomen on Saturday.
 
OPENING TIP:

• Valentina Ojeda led the Rams in scoring with 17 points
• Mary-Anna Asare tallied 12 points for VCU and grabbed five rebounds
• UMass shot 92 percent from the free throw line, going 12-of-13, while the Rams shot 63 percent in a 5-of-8 performance
• The Rams went 19-of-56 from the floor, while the Minutewomen were 18-of-56  
• Each team tallied six 3-pointers, UMass at 32 percent and VCU at 29 percent

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle, but the Rams took the lead with 45 seconds on the clock with a Jennifer Ezeh layup, 12-11
• Trading field goals to open the second half, Ojeda sparked a 7-2 VCU run with a 3-pointer to take back the Rams' lead
• A Minutewoman 3-pointer from Allie Palmieri in the final eight seconds of the second quarter gave the visitors the edge at the half, 27-26
• Ojeda powered an 8-0 VCU run, with a pair of 3-pointers and a field goal off a UMass turnover to give VCU the lead back at 36-35 with 6:05 left in the third quarter
• UMass responded and used a 6-0 run to end the third quarter with a 41-36 lead
• VCU held off the UMass offense, not allowing field goal in the final 5:50 and holding them scoreless for five minutes, but couldn't complete the comeback

 
UP NEXT:
The Rams will to Pittsburgh, Pa., for their second matchup against Duquesne at 8 p.m. on Jan. 30. The game will be streamed on Peacock.