Hurt becomes becomes VCU’s all-time leading scorer in loss to Drexel

Jim Swing
Sports Editor
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Four years ago Courtney Hurt never thought she’d come to VCU and rewrite the record books. She was just a freshman vying for playing time at a level she didn’t think would be all that difficult.

“When I first got here to be honest I didn’t think college basketball would be that hard,” the VCU senior forward said.

Whether it’s been difficult or not, saying Hurt has come along way would be an understatement.

Her freshman year she averaged just 4.4 points a game in just under 13 minutes of playing time. Sophomore season Hurt’s numbers improved. She was receiving almost 30 minutes a game and averaging 13.7 points per outing. In her third year her numbers really started to boost. She shared time in the top five scoring category in the nation and broke seven of VCU’s single-season records.

Then Thursday night, Hurt notched her largest accomplishment to date: becoming VCU’s all-time leading scorer. Hurt shattered a 22-year-old record previously held by Kelly Hoover (1,750 points).

“It’s cool I guess… record,” a reserved Hurt said following VCU’s 47-41 loss to Drexel.

And even after it happened, Hurt still didn’t think it was possible.

“Never would’ve thought I’d break records,” Hurt said. “I didn’t come to college to get out there and break all these records.”

It seemingly took a lifetime for Hurt who was having trouble finding good looks against the Dragons. She was just 2-for-5 from the floor at halftime with four points, one shy of the record. In the second half Drexel picked up right where it left off, stacking the paint and making it difficult for Hurt to create any type of separation. It took Hurt over nine minutes after the break to even get a shot off, a missed jumper.

Then finally it came.

On the ensuing possession Hurt pulled down an offensive rebound and was fouled on her way back up, giving her two shots at the free-throw line. Up until that moment, it was all business for Hurt. Playbooks and scouting reports were all that was running through her head. But a pair of free throws made time stand still for a few seconds and that’s when it finally set in.

“When I was at the free throw line I could tell that the crowd was getting into it so I thought about it then,” Hurt said. “But during the game I think about what we talked about during scouting and trying to execute on the court.”

Hurt buried the first throw and stamped her name deep within the VCU record books. Cunningham called a timeout minutes later and the record was announced over the public address system. Chants of “Courtney” rang throughout the Siegel Center.

“Tremendous accomplishment,” said Cunningham, in her ninth year as VCU’s head coach. “The thing I’m probably most proud of with Courtney is how far she’s come since she’s been here.

“I think you’ve seen a kid that’s really worked on her game year in and year out she keeps getting better and better.”

It was bittersweet Hurt, who had nine points and 15 rebounds in the Rams’ third straight loss. But it’s an accomplishment that’s been a long time coming. Hurt now sits atop the record books with 1,755 career points.

“Proud to have coached her,” Cunningham said. “Proud that she’ll have her name on that record.”

Cunningham – in the midst of her fourth year of coaching Hurt – donned a wide smile and put her arm around the new author of the VCU record books as the two exited the media room after the game.

“Congratulations,” she said.