Score: La Salle 70, VCU 62
Location: Philadelphia, Pa.
Records: VCU 3-5 (0-1 A-10), La Salle 6-2 (1-0 A-10)
 
The short story: VCU trailed La Salle 35-29 at the half and the Explorers were able to hold off the Rams in the second half in the Atlantic 10 opener for both teams.

OPENING TIP:

• Cyriah Griffin tied her career-high of 16 points, going 6-of-10 from the floor and grabbing three rebounds
• Ty Williams scored 14 points, going 4-of-5 from the floor
• Ann Zachariah was the third Ram in double figures with 10 points, shooting 4-of-9
• The Rams shot 36.7 percent from the floor while La Salle shot 41.5 percent
• The Explorers outscored VCU 20-5 in second chance points despite outrebounding La Salle 40-35
• La Salle was led by Aryss Macktoon who had a game-high 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds

HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• VCU trailed 7-3 early with 8:05 left in the first quarter before a 13-2 run gave the Rams a 16-9 lead on a Griffin layup
• La Salle answered with a 9-0 run to retake the lead at 18-16 with 9:43 left in the second quarter
• VCU trailed 23-22 before a 13-2 La Salle run extended their lead to 31-22 with 3:12 left before halftime. The Explorers would lead 35-29 at the break
• La Salle pushed its lead to 49-35, its largest of the game, with 4:09 left in the third quarter. The Rams weren't able to get closer than eight points the remainder of the contest.

UP NEXT:
VCU travels to JMU on Sunday, Dec. 7 for a 2 p.m. tip. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.