Score: VCU 81, Maine 77
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 2-1, Maine 0-3
 
The short story: VCU trailed 27-15 midway through the second quarter before using a 21-5 run to take the lead. The Rams then held off a late Maine rally for the win.

OPENING TIP:

• Katarina Knezevic scored a career-high 19 points and went 7-of-13 from the field. She added four assists
• Ann Zacahriah also scored a career-best 16 points, going 3-of-4 from 3-point range
• Cyriah Griffin had a career-high 16 points and went 8-of-11 at the free throw line
• Patricia Augustin rounded out four Rams in double figures with 12 points and tied for a team-high with eight boards
• VCU shot 47.5 percent from the field while Maine shot 47.0 percent. VCU went 16-of-20 at the free throw line while Maine was just 4-of-4
• Kaliyah Sain scored 26 points and Adrianna Smith added 22 points

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Maine led VCU 19-12 after the end of the first quarter
• The Black Bears led 27-15 with 5:52 in the second quarter before Knezevic's jumper started the 21-5 run that spanned halftime and gave VCU a 36-32 lead with 8:02 left in the third
• VCU scored 30 points in the third quarter and built a 60-50 lead heading into the fourth
• Maine rallied to get within 71-68 with 2:05 left but a Knezevic step-back jumper gave VCU some breathing room
• The Black Bears again cut it to 73-30 with 1:08 left before Zachariah answered with a 3-pointer on the next possession. VCU held Maine off at the free throw line

UP NEXT:
VCU hosts Howard on Monday, Nov. 17 for a 6 p.m. tipoff at the Siegel Center. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.