Women’s basketball bounces back with close win against George Washington

Ben Martindale, Staff Writer

VCU women’s basketball team entered Wednesday night’s matchup against George Washington University on the heels of back-to-back losses. 

Looking to turn things around, the Rams got off to a quick start, jumping out to an early five point lead. The ball moved hands rapidly as VCU asserted itself offensively.

VCU’s lead began to snowball in the first quarter. A steal and layup from second-year guard Cyriah Griffin increased the Rams lead 15-6 with under three minutes remaining in the quarter.

The Rams excellent defense helped them hit a cold spell closing the quarter 15-8. 

VCU ended its cold stretch, starting the second quarter with a 7-0 run.

The Rams used beautiful passing and teamwork to steadily run up the score as the second quarter continued, extending their lead to 24-8.

The Revolutionaries did not give up though, mounting an 8-0 run of their own to cut the Rams’ lead to 10.

Second-year forward Katarina Kneževic provided a much needed basket for the Rams, knocking down an open three and swinging momentum back in favor of VCU.

From that point VCU did not look back, closing the half strong and entering the locker room with a lead of 38-15.

George Washington got on the board first to start the second half, but VCU quickly answered with a pair of layups.

Both teams struggled to score as the quarter progressed, but VCU’s stellar defensive play enabled it to maintain a comfortable lead, 42-27. 

Over the next few minutes, the Revolutionaries finally began to take advantage of cracks in the Rams defense, mounting a 7-0 run. The Rams lead 44-34.

VCU managed to recover some momentum as the quarter closed, heading into the final period holding a lead of 48-36.

George Washington continued to fight its way back into the game as the fourth quarter started, cutting the VCU lead to nine before a corner three from first-year VCU guard Laia Crespín briefly halted the Revolutionaries momentum.

George Washington responded with a couple quick buckets, including an and one that cut the VCU lead to six with just over six minutes remaining.

A big three from Griffin extended VCU’s lead to seven with four minutes to go. Griffin had a stellar performance, leading the Rams in scoring with a career-high 18 points by the finish.

“She just plays with such pace,” said head coach Beth O’Boyle. “I love that corner three, it’s becoming Cyriah’s corner. She’s gonna get one every game, it’s great, I think she’s doing a really good job.”

With just under three minutes until the final buzzer, both teams refused to give an inch as VCU continued to hold onto a narrow lead.

As the fourth quarter drew to a close, VCU slowly saw its lead, six points with a minute and a half remaining, dwindle to just two with 24 seconds to go.

Two clutch free throws from VCU’s Kneževic increased the lead to four with twelve seconds remaining.

George Washington responded with a massive three to cut the VCU lead to one, but it was unable to foul until 3.1 seconds remained.

Second-year guard Ty Williams stepped to the line and calmly knocked down both to give VCU a three point lead.

“Ty coming in, sometimes it’s hard to come off the bench and step up,” O’Boyle said. “She’s just a phenomenal free throw shooter, we know that she’s gonna knock em down.”

A last second heave from George Washington missed just left, VCU escaped winning the game 63-60.

VCU women’s basketball will play its next at Davidson College on Sunday, Jan. 25 at noon.