Women’s basketball escapes Georgia State at home
Women’s basketball slides part Georgia State, ends losing streak
Andrea Barbour notched her second straight double-digit output with 15 points against Georgia State.
Scott Wyant
Staff Writer
VCU caught fire in the second half and snapped a three-game CAA losing streak, on its way to a 75-70 win over Georgia State.
In those three contests, turnovers haunted the Rams as they averaged 19 per game and only 51 points per game. That story line continued in the first half as Georgia State racked up 12 steals and forced VCU into 14 turnovers.
Everything changed in the second half as the Rams came out of the break on a 21-3 run. Although the offensive numbers are the most recognizable stat, coach Beth Cunningham attributes the run to the Rams’ work on the defensive end.
“We came out and had a stretch there where our defensive pressure and our defensive intensity caused some turnovers,” Cunningham said. “We were able to rebound the basketball and get out and get some easy baskets in transition, and I think that was probably the biggest difference that got us going on the offensive end of the floor.”
In the second half the Rams shot 53.6 percent from the field on 15-for-28 shooting and got to the line 18 times.
It also doesn’t hurt that Cunningham has two dynamic players that can take over games at any time. Andrea Barbour and Courtney Hurt combined for 43 points, 24 rebounds and nine assists.
After only scoring nine points in her last time out against Drexel, due in part to teams shifting zones her way, Hurt returned to the 20-point plateau, pouring in 28 points including 18 in the second half alone.
“I was wide open, so that was different,” Hurt said. “It was good having a nice clean look, and just seeing (the ball) go through the basket really helps.”
Hurt also reached the 20-point, 20-rebound mark for the second time this season and the third time in her career.
Aprill McRae continued her impressive freshman season finishing with 12 points, just one shy of her career high. Robyn Parks chipped in with seven points on 3-for-3 shooting from the field.
The Rams now hit the road taking on a middle-of-the pack Towson squad with preseason favorite Delaware looming on Sunday.
“The way this conference is, it doesn’t get any easier,” Cunningham said. “It’s a constant battle everybody is fighting for position, and we need to find a way to go get that first game up at Towson before we look any farther down the road.”
Photos by Chris Conway