VCU women’s basketball secure back to back wins during their summer trip abroad

Alexis Washington, Contributing Writer 

The VCU women’s basketball team had an opportunity to tour Europe while playing the sport and exploring the area. The team traveled through Europe from Aug. 7 through Aug. 16, visiting Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.

Head coach Beth O’Boyle said she was most excited about the new faces on the court and how this is a once in a lifetime experience, according to the team’s instagram page.

“The energy on this team and the unselfishness of our players are coming together, this is such a great opportunity,” O’Boyle said.

O’Boyle said the main goal during this trip was to strengthen the relationships among players and coaches.

The trip was not just about playing basketball, but also getting to know one another, according to O’Boyle.

“There were so many connections that were built while we were traveling,” O’Boyle said. “Whether it was on the bus, on the paddle boards or walking around the different cities. I think we got the opportunity to know each other much better.”

The first team win was a back and forth game, according to VCU sophomore guard Timaya Lewis-Eutsey. There were a couple seconds on the shot clock and VCU had possession.

The game was tied and VCU sophomore guard Mary-Anne Asare had the ball, with Lewis-Eutsey positioned by the basket, according to Lewis-Eutsey.

Asare passed the ball to Lewis-Eutsey, who said she initially thought Asare would shoot the ball herself.

“The only thing that went through my head was ‘Listen, I’ve got to make this lay up,’” Lewis-Eutsey said.

Seconds were boiling down and Asare assisted the ball to Lewis-Eutsey who made a buzzer-beater layup.

“I knew the game was tight. I knew we needed one more shot,” Lewis-Eutsey said. “My first thought was to crash.”

The VCU women’s basketball team played two games while on the trip, and came out with the win both times, according to O’Boyle.

The VCU women’s basketball team had not had their first practice as a full team yet, but Lewis-Eutsey said the team worked together efficiently.

“We were scoring the ball very well. We were defending very well. We were communicating very well,” Lewis-Eutsey said.

The players were successful because they came together and did not point fingers or blame each other, according to Lewis-Eutsey.

VCU senior guard Sarah Te-Biasu said that she stepped up and became a leader and coach during the trip.

“I grew up as a leader, and supported my teammates on the bench by giving them advice,” Te-Biasu said.

Watching her teammates play and analyzing how basketball is played was a takeaway that she hopes to bring on the court for this season, Te-Biasu said.

Te-Biasu stayed on the bench during the trip because she was allowing her body to rest from playing with team Canada in the GLOBAL Jam this summer, according to Evan Nicely, director of athletics communications for women’s basketball.

The VCU women’s basketball team did a lot of excursions over the 10-day trip that helped create memories, according to both players and coaches.

Te-Biasu said she enjoyed Venice due to the fancy architecture and the beautiful scenery.

O’Boyle and Lewis-Eutsey said they both shared the same favorite memory, along with paddle boarding and learning about different cultures.

“All you saw was water and sky and it was so beautiful,” Lewis-Eutsey said. “I was surrounded by all my teammates and that is an experience that you really don’t get.”