VCU defeats University of Maryland Eastern Shore in season opener, 75-60

Bersabeh Kemaw, Staff Writer

Alexis Washington, Contributing Writer

VCU women’s basketball took down the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in their first game in their non-conference schedule on Nov. 6.

Both teams went back and forth up until the six-minute mark when the Hawks made a jumper off a black-and-gold turnover, giving them a two-point start.

The Hawks then went on a 7-0 run – which gave them their largest lead of the night – before VCU second-year guard Zoli Khalil made a driving layup that gave VCU their first points on the board, making the score 7-2.

The Hawks answered back immediately with a fast break layup.

After a personal foul call on the Rams, the other team was sent to the charity stripe where they made one out of two free throws.

The Hawks made a free throw after an opponent turnover, putting them at a 10-2 lead over the Rams, according to StatBroadcast.

VCU third-year guard Timaya Lewis-Eutsey, a key player in the game, put up her first points after a successful three-point jumper around the two-minute mark of the first quarter.

The Hawks returned to the free-throw line shortly after, making both shots and increasing their lead.

VCU third-year guard Mary-Anna Asare made a second-chance three-pointer off an opponent turnover to close out the first quarter. 

The Rams had a slow start, and were down by 4, as they prepared to head into the second quarter.

VCU head coach Beth O’Boyle said the shots didn’t drop for them in the first quarter.

“We were running what we wanted to, and they just — they just didn’t fall,” O’Boyle said. “So we really talked about staying together.”

At the start of the second quarter, Lewis-Eutsey made a driving layup and drew a foul, sending her to the free-throw line, where she made the shot.

Redshirt fourth-year guard Grace Hutson and Lewis-Eutsey went on an 11-0 run, according to StatBroadcast.

This run, during which Hutson had back-to-back three-pointers, gave VCU their first lead against the Hawks, which remained consistent throughout the rest of the game.  

The Rams closed out the quarter with a ten-point lead and a score of 35-25.

Lewis-Eutsey set the tone for the third quarter, putting up the first points by making a second-chance layup at the eight-minute mark.

The Rams had a 37-30 lead at the seven-minute mark.

Hutson had an offensive streak and hit a three-point jumper at the six-minute mark followed by a layup at the four-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast. 

Hutson said “prayer and practice” was the answer for her performance. She kicked off the season opener with a career-high of 17 points and went 5-5 from the three-point line. 

The Hawks responded with a fast break layup by graduate guard Zamara Haynes at the two-minute mark.

VCU and UMES had back-to-back turnovers and fouls in the last two minutes, according to StatBroadcast.

The Hawks tried to end the third quarter with points on the board but missed a layup by third-year guard Aleah James. 

VCU led going into the last quarter, 55-44.

Lewis-Eutsey started the fourth quarter with a personal seven-point run. 

UMES graduate forward Mahogany Lester tried unsuccessfully to stop Lewis-Eutsey offensively, and the Hawks were up, 60-47.

Lester fouled Lewis-Eutsey, who made both free throws.

Asare grabbed a defensive rebound and passed it to Lewis-Eutsey for a fast-break layup at the eight-minute mark. 

VCU went on an 11-point run in the middle of the fourth quarter.

Third-year forward Dakieran Turner ended the Hawks’ scoring drought with a layup at the six-minute mark.

In the last five minutes, both teams were putting points on the board.

VCU redshirt third-year guard Adebukola Akomolafe made a driving layup as the game boiled down with 57 seconds left. 

The crowd went crazy and VCU secured the win, 75-60. 

Lewis-Eutsey played a huge offensive role. She set her career high with 28 points and six assists, according to StatBroadcast.  

“I thought today that we shared the ball,” O’Boyle said. “We got some really good assists that helped both of these two get some really great shots.”

VCU women’s basketball will be hosting Temple University on Nov. 15 at the Siegel Center at 7 p.m.