Ben Martindale, Staff Writer
VCU women’s basketball took the Siegel Center Wednesday as Richmond defrosts after a winter storm. Despite the icy conditions outside, the stands were scattered with a dedicated group of faithful Ram fans.
After the game, VCU head coach Beth O’Boyle took the time to thank the fans who showed up to support the team.
“Thank you for coming out on this snowy, icy day to support us,” O’Boyle said. “It always means so much to our players and we really appreciate it.”
Fordham University won the tip, but VCU showed its heart early — taking a charge and forcing a turnover on the first possession of the game.
Almost three minutes into the game both teams remained scoreless as they attempted to find a way past the other squads defense.
Second-year guard Cyriah Griffin got VCU on the board first, hitting a ball fake that would have made former NBA guard Rajon Rondo proud, before spinning and finishing the layup.
Griffin has been good for VCU all season, but has really stepped her play lately, scoring in double figures in three of her last four appearances.
Second-year forward Katarina Knežević scored her first points of the game to extend VCU’s lead to seven with a three, plus the foul from the corner. She followed up the next possession by drawing a foul on the interior and knocking down two more free throws.
VCU led 14-5 with two and a half minutes remaining in the first quarter.
VCU finished out the first quarter with momentum, holding a 19-7 lead. They drew three first quarter charges, using excellent team defense to put together one of their best first quarters of the season.
VCU continued its stellar play in the first half of the second quarter, extending its lead to 31-16. Everyone touched the ball and as a result VCU scored very efficiently.
A beautiful turnaround jumper from Knežević put her in double figures and gave VCU a halftime lead of 38-25. Knežević was excellent with 10 first half points.
Both teams got off to a slow start after the half, neither defense willing to give up anything easy. Three minutes into the third quarter, VCU led 39-28.
Midway through the second quarter VCU remained ice-cold offensively — having scored just two points so far in the half. Despite its offensive woes, their excellent hustle and team defense enabled VCU to remain in the driver’s seat. They led 40-30.
Despite continued production from the VCU frontcourt, who are both in double figures, Fordham continued to fight its way back into the game — narrowing the gap to just 44-38 with a minute and a half remaining in the third quarter.
VCU and Fordham traded buckets to close the third quarter, with VCU heading into the final period with a lead of 48-42.
An offensive rebound resulted in a Fordham bucket — cutting the VCU lead to four as the fourth quarter opened.
VCU bounced back, using grit and determination to earn second chance points of their own, and pushed their lead to 54-46 with just over seven minutes on the clock.
VCU’s ability to rebound on both ends of the court was particularly impressive, considering Fordham was the No. 11 ranked offensive rebounding team in the country.
Griffin was especially impressive, pulling down a season-high eight rebounds.
“We talked about it pregame,” O’Boyle said. “We needed a guard to come in and get seven plus rebounds, it’s great to see.”
Griffin knocked down a big three pointer with four and a half minutes remaining to give VCU some much needed breathing room and a 60-49 lead.
Fordham responded immediately, scoring five points in rapid succession to cut the lead to six — forcing a VCU timeout with three minutes and 43 seconds left in the game.
A high-arcing three from the corner by redshirt fourth-year forward Ann Zachariah put VCU ahead by nine. They led 63-54 with two and half minutes remaining.
From that point on, VCU cruised — never allowing Fordham an opportunity to take the lead.
VCU won the hard fought game 69-58.
VCU women’s basketball will play its annual “SupportHER” game against the University of Richmond Spiders at the Siegel Center at noon on Feb. 1.