VCU dismantles Northeastern on senior day

The Rams finished off their season with 18 straight home victories as they steamed past the Huskies on Sunday, 68-39.

They tied the record for the longest home winning streak in VCU history.

It was an emotional day at the Siegel Center as the two seniors, Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake/Great Bridge) and Radoslava Bachvarova (Varna, Bulgaria/Dayton Beach C.C.) finished their final home game with a win. The Rams improved to 14-3 in the CAA and 24-5 overall and locked up the second seed in the CAA tournament.

The pregame ceremony featured the unveiling of Hollingsworth’s jersey from the rafters.

VCU started the game on an 8-0 run and an 11-2 lead with 15:23 remaining in the first half. Bachvarova and junior La’Tavia Rorie (Charlotte, N.C./Harding University HS) started the game with a quick five points each.

VCU never trailed as the Rams went into the half with a 33-19 lead.

The Rams played suffocating defense throughout the game as Northeastern was held to 29 percent shooting. VCU shot 50 percent from the field for the game.

Hollingsworth got going early in the first two minutes of the second half, scoring two early field goals as VCU took a 39-21 lead to open up the half. Northeastern quickly took a timeout.

The Rams took a commanding lead in the second half going up 58-28 as they went on a 16-2 run. With steady defense, Northeastern was held scoreless for four minutes.

VCU coach Beth Cunningham said, “I’m proud of the way we came out to play after a loss to Drexel.” Cunningham said, “I thought we played sloppy at times, but we played very well defensively overall.”

Bachvarova left the court with three minutes remaining while Hollingsworth walked off the court for the final time with 2:14 remaining in the game.

When asked how it felt to have her jersey hung, Hollingsworth replied, “It really hasn’t hit me yet, the season isn’t over and we still have practice.”

Rorie led the way for VCU, scoring 18 points as she went 6 for 9 from the field. Junior Kita Waller (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville) finished with 13 points, as Hollingsworth and Bachvarova finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Hollingsworth recorded her 52nd career double-double as she added 10 rebounds

Jasmine Crew led the Huskies with 11 points.

VCU is back to work Wednesday night at Georgia State to finish off the regular season and get prepared for the upcoming CAA tournament.

By the numbers

VCU (24-5, 14-3 CAA)
Bachvarova 10, Hollingsworth 11, Waller 13, Rorie 18, Patterson 3, Taylor 9, Watts 2, Hurt 2. 27 9-15 68. 3-pointers: Bachvarova 2, Rorie 2, Taylor.

Northeastern (10-18, 7-10 CAA)
Walton 6, Crews 2, Carr 10, Crew 11, Christian 2, Wilson 2, Conroy 2, Iervolino 3, Robinson 1. 15 5-8 39. Walton 2, Crew, Iervolino