The Rams started the season by making history
Friday night by beating Central Connecticut State
98-44 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
The points scored and the margin of victory, 54,
were both the second largest in school history.
VCU had five players score in double figures,
led by Senior Krystal Vaughn (Baltimore/Lake
Clifton-Eastern), who poured in 20 points, and
Junior Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake/Great
Bridge), who notched a double-double with 16
points and 10 rebounds.
Sophomore La’Tavia Rorie added 11 points,
while Kita Waller (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville)
and Brittany Pinkney (Clinton, Md./The Patterson
School) chipped in with 12 and 15 points off the
bench, respectively. Ten of the
11 players who suited up were
able to contribute points.
The Rams got off to a 27-5
start and never looked back. For
most of the first half, it seemed as
if they were conducting a lay-up
drill in which everyone could join in on the fun.
The inside strength and size of Hollingsworth and
Vaughn proved to be too much for the Blue Devils,
as they were able to shoot over the defense and
out-muscle them in the paint.
The Rams maintained their strong first-half
shooting performance of 54.8 percent while
finishing shooting 56.3 percent for the game.
The Rams’ defensive pressure caused CCSU to
commit 36 turnovers and shoot 26.2 percent from
the field for the game. Senior LaKea Jones (Fort
Washington, Md./ National Christian Academy)
led the way defensively with five steals while
adding six assists.
“The defensive effort and intensity of the team
was solid,” Waller said.
VCU received a scare in the first half when
freshman Ebony Patterson (Chesterfield/L.C. Bird)
was tripped during a lay-up attempt. Patterson
landed hard on her elbow and was taken off the
court to receive medical attention. She has since
been cleared to practice and play, although she will
have to wear a protective sleeve over the elbow.
The Rams return to action on Tuesday, Nov.
13, when they travel to Washington, D.C., to play
American. Game time is 7 p.m.
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Inside the numbers
Central Conn. State (0-1): Hatcher 4, Keating 2, Wade 8, Harris 2, Rose 3, Covington 8, Dowdy 7, Dugan 5, Sweet 1, Udenze 4, Boone 0. Totals: 11 20-28 44. 3-pointers: Rose, Dowdy.
VCU (1-0): Vaughn 20, Bachvarova 7, Hollingsworth 16, Jones 3, Rorie 11, Paterson 4, Waller 12, Wilkes 2, Moss 8, Griffith 0, Pinkney 15. Totals: 36 21-32 98. 3-pointers: Pinkney 2, Bachvarova, Rorie, Waller.