Score:Â Saint Louis 59, VCU 56
Location:Â Richmond, Va.
Records:Â VCU 10-15 (4-9 A-10), Saint Louis 11-15 (5-8 A-10)
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The short story:Â VCU led by as much as 16 points in the third quarter, holding a 40-24 advantage with 7:58 left, but Saint Louis outscored VCU 35-16 the rest of the way to take the win.
OPENING TIP:
- VCU was led Grace Hutson who tied a career-high with 17 points, going 4-of-9 from 3-point range. She went 6-of-11 from the floor and grabbed seven rebounds
- Mykel Parham grabbed 16 rebounds and moved into 10th place all-time in total rebounds at VCU during the game and has 703 during her time as a Ram
- Mary-Anna Asare also had 17 points and was the only other Ram in double figures
- Saint Louis shot 37.1 percent from the floor while VCU shot 32.7 percent from the field
- The Billikens led 23-14 in points off turnovers and 30-8 in bench points
- VCU went 16-of-19 from the free throw line while Saint Louis was 8-of-10
- The Billikens were led by Brooklyn Gray who had 14 points
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After trailing Saint Louis 5-3 to start the contest, VCU answered with an 15-5 run capped by an Asare 3-pointer to lead 20-10 with 1:45 left in the first quarter
- The Rams held a 22-14 lead after the end of the first quarter
- Saint Louis cut VCU's lead to 22-19 with 6:53 left before halftime but a 9-2 run gave the Rams a lead 31-21 with 1:45 left. VCU led 33-24 at the break
- VCU opened the second half on a 7-0 run to push its lead to 40-24 with 7:58 left
- The Rams led 43-28 before Saint Louis went on a 15-3 run to cut the Rams lead to 46-43 at the end of the third quarter
- VCU led 55-52 with 1:53 left but back-to-back turnovers and baskets gave the Billikens the lead for good at 56-55 with 32 seconds left. VCU had a chance to tie the game at the free throw line with just over one second remaining but went 1-of-2
UP NEXT:
VCU travels to Fordham for a 2 p.m. game on Sunday, Feb. 16. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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