Women’s basketball win three of four to start the new season
After four games, the VCU women’s basketball team is 3-1 for the second straight year.
Bryant Drayton
Contributing Writer
After four games, the VCU women’s basketball team is 3-1 for the second straight year.
On Thursday, Nov. 20, the Rams were able to compile a 72-50 win versus the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The matchup would be the second of a six-game road trip. VCU was able to get out to an early lead with sophomore guard Isis Thorpe leading the way with 15 points on 5-7 shooting.
VCU as a team shot the ball well with a field goal percentage of 41.3, going 50 percent from the three-point line. The hot shooting enabled the Rams to a 39-22 halftime lead after a 9-0 run to end the half. The Rams never looked back and cruised to a 22-point victory.
Sophomore guard Ashley Pegram accounted for 13 points, 10 of which came in the second half, and junior forward Adaeze Alaeze recorded 11 points respectively.
Head coach Beth O’Boyle said she was pleased with her team’s hot start and the effort they displayed throughout the win. Intensity was the key for the Rams, as they were given a task by O’Boyle and succeeded.
“We talked to the team in the beginning and said, ‘You have to go out and earn it’,” O’Boyle said.
The Rams responded well after suffering their first loss of the season Tuesday, Nov. 20, against Liberty University. Shooting was problematic for the Rams, as O’Boyle’s team was not able to find the bottom of the net in the 69-53 loss against Liberty University. The Rams were able to force 20 turnovers, but were unable to make the most of those opportunities because of poor shooting. As a team, VCU went 18-66 from the field, shooting 25.8 percent.
The Rams were able to shorten the lead to 47-41 early in the second half, but squandered the opportunity to overcome the six-point deficit.
Sophomore Camille Calhoun led the Rams with 17 points and sophomore guard Keira Robinson recorded three assists.
The Rams continue their road trip versus Ohio State University Nov. 23. The Rams looks to avenge a loss, as the Buckeyes defeated the Rams last season, 83-71.