JAN. 14 RECAP: How every VCU team did this week

Hayden Braun, Contributing Writer

VCU men’s and women’s basketball faced a challenging slate of Atlantic 10 competition this week, highlighted by late rallies and defensive grit.

Women’s basketball vs. George Mason University

VCU fell 68-58 to George Mason on Sunday, Jan 4. at the Siegel Center despite a strong fourth-quarter surge. The Rams trailed by as many as 24 points entering the final period but erupted for 30 points in the fourth quarter.

Fourth-year guard Mary-Anna Asare led VCU with 16 points, while fourth-year forward Makennah White added a season-high 14 points behind a career-best three three pointers, according to VCU Athletics. George Mason was led by third-year guard Kennedy Harris’ game-high 21 points as the Patriots shot 42.4% from the floor compared to VCU’s 37.2%.

VCU closed the game on a 14-3 run but was unable to overcome the early deficit, dropping to 4-11 overall and 0-3 in A-10 play.

Men’s basketball vs. Saint Louis University

Cold shooting proved costly for VCU in a 71-62 loss to Saint Louis on Jan. 5 at a sold-out Siegel Center. Third-year forward Lazar Djokovic recorded his fourth career double-double with 11 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, while second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. led the Rams with 17 points.

VCU struggled from the field, shooting a season-low 29% and just 6-of-24 from beyond the arc, according to VCU Athletics. Despite trailing by as many as 14 points, the Rams rallied late and briefly took a 62-61 lead with two minutes and 30 seconds remaining before Saint Louis closed the game on a decisive 10-0 run.

Saint Louis outscored VCU 40-24 in the paint and shot 43% overall. The loss marked VCU’s first conference defeat of the season.

Women’s basketball at Saint Louis

VCU women’s basketball responded in a big way, snapping a four-game losing streak with a dominant 50-39 away win over Saint Louis. The Rams used a decisive 17-0 run in the fourth quarter and held the Billikens to just 21% shooting from the floor.

First-year forward Patricia Augustin scored a team-high 11 points, while White added eight points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Second-year guard Katarina Kneživic chipped in 10 points, four rebounds and three assists as VCU delivered its best defensive performance of the season, according to VCU Athletics.

Saint Louis scored just 39 points – its fewest in a game since 2013 – and shot 12% from three point range. The win improved VCU to 5-11 overall and 1-3 in A-10 play.

Men’s basketball at George Mason

Djokovic showed out with a game-high 23 points for VCU, but it was not enough as George Mason used a late push to slip past the Rams 86-80 on Jan. 10 in Fairfax. Djokovic connected on 7-of-9 from the floor and was perfect on nine free throws, while Hill added 16 points and six rebounds, according to VCU Athletics.

VCU led 56-55 with nine minutes left from a Hill layup, but a George Mason 8-0 run swung momentum and the Patriots never trailed again. VCU shot 47% from the floor, but George Mason’s 56% shooting and 21-of-24 on free throws proved decisive. The loss dropped VCU to 11-6 overall and 2-2 in A-10 play.

Women’s basketball vs. Duquesne University 

VCU topped Duquesne 61-54 at the Siegel Center on Jan. 11 behind an 18-4 fourth-quarter run to take the lead and seal the win. VCU trailed 50-43 entering the final period before rallying late, with White hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer with around one minute remaining, according to VCU Athletics.

First-year guard Laia Crespín scored 14 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line and 2-of-4 from deep, and White added 11 points while tying a season-high two steals. Kneživic pulled down seven rebounds, and first-year guard Cyriah Griffin added nine points and four assists. VCU’s bench outscored Duquesne’s 34-12 as the Rams improved to 6-11 overall and 2-3 in the A-10.

Men’s track & field at VCU Indoor Invite

Men’s track & field squad turned in a strong showing at the VCU Indoor Invite on Jan. 9, highlighted by standout performances in the field events. Third-year Isaiah-Taji Kargbo-Owens led the Rams in the long jump with a runner-up finish, while fourth-year Troy McWilliams captured first place in the weight throw. Multiple Rams recorded personal bests from distance / sprints to jumps and throws, according to VCU Athletics.

Women’s track & field at VCU Indoor Invite

Women’s track & field team impressed at the VCU Indoor Invite behind strong performances from several underclassmen. First-year Desi Akaolisa fueled the Rams with a standout effort in the weight throw, while teammates across sprints and field events delivered solid results. The performances provided valuable early-season momentum as VCU continues its indoor schedule, according to VCU Athletics.