VCU loses to top-ranked ODU

NORFOLK – Sophomore Krystal Vaughn (Baltimore, Md.) scored 19 of her career-high 25 points in the first half, but Old Dominion cruised past VCU for the win Friday night.

Vaughn topped her previous career high of 23, draining 11 of 20 shots and helped keep the Rams close in the first half.

The Rams trailed by as many as 11 in the first half before going on a 17-9 run to close the gap to 30-27 with 2:58 left.

Trailing 36-28, Michele Cosel (Mechanicsville/Atlee High School) drained a 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining in the half to cut the lead to five.

T.J. Jordan responded with a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left to push the Monarch’s lead to 39-31 at the half.

The Monarchs opened the second half with a 15-5 spurt to push the advantage to 54-39 and coasted to a blowout victory.

Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake/Great Bridge High School) contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Brittany Pinkney (Clinton, Md.) added 10 points for the Rams.

Tish Lyons scored 22 points to lead five Monarchs in double figures.

The Rams shot just 37 percent compared to 56.7 for the Monarchs, who remained undefeated (15-0) in the conference. The Monarchs also shot 76.7 percent in the second half to pull away.