Reed returns and Rams hold off UMass
Junior guard Tera Reed headlines returning veterans on this season's women's basketball team. CT file photo
Noah Fleischman, Sports Editor
In sophomore guard Tera Reed’s return after an injury, Women’s Basketball defeated Massachusetts 52-48 Wednesday night, as Reed logged 13 points, six assists and four steals.
“She’s just a tough cover,” said coach Beth O’Boyle. “The added element of hitting those threes, it’s tough for teams to have someone that who can match her length and athleticism. She really helped us get some steals and I think that helped energize us a bit.”
The Rams had 10 steals and forced 20 Minutewomen turnovers in the contest.
Junior forward Danielle Hammond was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field on her way to scoring a team-high 15 points and seven rebounds.
“I think we had good patience tonight,” Hammond said. “We were playing a lot against the zone and for the zone you need to move the ball a lot so we were patient with it.”
Hammond also led the team in scoring Jan. 27 as the Rams knocked off Saint Louis.
“Right now, she’s doing a great job rebounding and scoring on the inside,” O’Boyle said. “[Hammond] is such a great touch around the hoop … it’s one of the best I’ve seen.”
The Rams shot 18.8 percent from the field in the first quarter, and VCU trailed by three. Three Rams scored in the first quarter.
“The ball’s not always going to go in and you have to grind it out,” O’Boyle said.
VCU’s offense started rolling in the second quarter, shooting 44.4 percent from the field, including 2-for-5 from three, both by Reed.
The Rams finished the first half on a 6-0 run over two minutes midway through the second quarter. VCU went into the locker room up one, 22-21.
VCU’s chaos defense held UMass star Hailey Leidel scoreless in the third quarter and only allowed the Minutewomen seven points.
In the final quarter, UMass tried to stage a comeback, but fell short as the Rams held on for the win.
VCU remains at the top of the Atlantic 10 standings with the win over UMass — for the rest of conference play, the Rams will have a target on their backs.
“We’re at the top right now and I feel like a lot of teams want to take off the team at the top, so they’re putting their best foot forward,” Hammond said. “It’s a grind every game now, everybody wants to win so the little plays really add up.”
