VCU locks horns with Rhode Island, losing 64-50

Andrew Thompson, Staff Writer

Ethan York, Contributing Writer

VCU women’s basketball lost to the University of Rhode Island on Jan. 15 at the Siegel Center, 64-50.

The black and gold came into the game winning three of their last four against A-10 opponents, with a conference record of 3-2 and an overall record of 9-8, according to VCU Athletics.

This was VCU’s “Who Run the World? Girls!” game, which dedicates the evening to supporting and celebrating women, according to VCU Athletics. 

“It’s such an exciting time for women’s sports right now,” VCU head coach Beth O’Boyle said, “I think our players are incredible role models. They’re great ambassadors of VCU.” 

Rhode Island won the tip-off and opened up the scoring with a layup 45 seconds in. 

Both teams traded possessions but could do little to find success on the offensive end.

VCU finally took the lid off the rim, converting their first field goal at the six-minute mark off a pull-up jumper from second-year guard Zoli Khalil. 

The black and gold would continue their aggression on offense but had trouble reaching paydirt as they experienced a two-minute scoring drought near the end of the first quarter, according to StatBroadcast. 

The offensive woes would continue for both teams. Rhode Island went the last two minutes without a made field goal, and VCU only converted on two of their last 10 shots, according to StatBroadcast. 

Rhode Island opened up the scoring in the second quarter with a three-pointer from fourth-year guard Sophie Phillips. 

VCU continued to struggle on both sides going three minutes without scoring and allowing Rhode Island to go up seven with four minutes left in the half. 

VCU fourth-year guard Odeja Valentina scored VCU’s last points of the period on a three-pointer before Rhode Island took control, ending the half on a 13-3 run, according to StatBroadcast. 

Rhode Island had the advantage going into halftime with a 31-20 lead. VCU’s struggles on offense were apparent as they had shot 29% from the field and 25% from three, according to StatBroadcast. 

The VCU Rams started the second half off with a sense of urgency on offense, with third-year guard Mary-Anna Asare driving and making a layup.

Phillips sank an uncontested three, extending their lead 36-22, according to StatBroadcast.

VCU pushed forward, trying to find any offensive opportunity possible, but struggled to catch up, as Rhode Island stayed consistent with their scoring.

Khalil closed the third out with a driving layup, proving to be a double threat on both offense and defense. 

“Basketball is a long game, so there’s always a lot of time to come back and there’s no point in giving up even though you are down,” Khalil said.

The third quarter ended with Rhode Island up 49-33. Rhode Island’s offense stayed consistent making the last six of eight of their field goals.

At the two-minute mark in the fourth quarter VCU continued their struggles on offense, with Rhode Island beating them to the ball every time.

Asare helped VCU catch a break at the six-minute mark into the fourth period with a layup and a free throw.

VCU began to close the 51-39 gap with a 6-0 scoring run at the five-minute mark. Rhode Island suffered, going on a scoring drought a little under five minutes, according to StatBroadcast.

Khalil splashed in a big three at the two-minute mark in the fourth quarter as she continued to have a massive offensive impact.

Though VCU’s offense turned it around in the fourth quarter, it wasn’t enough to stop Rhode Island. 

The match-up ended 64-50, with Khalil leading the team in points and having her highest-scoring game of her career with 20 points, according to StatBroadcast.

The VCU Rams will play their next game at the Siegel Center against the University of Massachusetts Minutewomen, on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m.