Drew Thompson, Sports Editor
VCU women’s basketball played its third annual SupportHer game against the University of Richmond on Feb. 1, ending with a 77-65 loss.
The SupportHer game is an initiative to get the Richmond community more involved with women’s athletics at VCU. The game drew a crowd of over 5,000, something that the players and coaches want to become the norm.
“If we could have this type of crowd every game, we would play even better,” second-year forward Katarina Kneževic said. “That’s something that should be a standard for women’s basketball as we are all developing the sport.”
The Spiders jumped out to a quick four-point lead before the Rams found themselves on the board off a jumper from first-year guard Daija Preston.
Richmond stayed in front for the opening five minutes primarily through its efforts to get to the free throw line, as both teams looked streaky from the field.
Both teams began to find their stride after the Rams brought the game to 10-10. VCU made four straight field goals while Richmond went four for five in the same stretch. The Spiders continued to hold the lead but the Rams would not back down easily.
A well–worked offensive routine from VCU second-year guard Cyriah Griffin and fourth-year forward Makennah White put the Rams down only four to end the first quarter, 15-19.
Richmond came out of the gates hot to start the second, gaining a rapid nine-point lead. The Spiders built their lead through high-volume three-point shooting and perfection at the line.
The Spiders continued to hold a lead as the Rams struggled to build momentum. Richmond held the rebounding advantage halfway through the second while VCU doubled Richmond’s total personal fouls.
Both teams began to struggle offensively to close out the second quarter; Richmond went four minutes without a field goal and VCU ended with a two-minute scoring drought.
The Spiders held a 13-point lead at halftime, 38-25. The key difference lay in free throw numbers: Richmond was 13/14 from the line while VCU was only 3/5. The Spiders also shot over double the amount of threes as the Rams, converting on three compared to VCU’s zero.
The second half started much the same as both teams came out the gates slow. The game continued to be a back-and-forth contest for the opening four minutes with Richmond still holding a double-digit lead.
Kneževic then began to take over for VCU, scoring three straight field goals — including VCU’s first three of the game — for the Rams to bring the game to within single digits. However, a rapid recovery by Richmond put the lead back to 11 points.
The Spiders continued their streak with a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 14, making eight straight shots to end the third.
Kneževic continued to dominate for the Rams even through the run, hitting another three and getting fouled in the process — although she was unable to convert the free throw.
“[Kneževic] is getting so much experience on the floor,” VCU coach Beth O’Boyle said. “She can score in a variety of ways.”
Richmond opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with a close shot under the hoop before VCU answered back with a shimmy and three-pointer from first-year guard Laia Crespín.
The Spiders continued to stay in control however, with a crafty dribble move from third-year guard Ally Sweeney putting a defender on skates and finishing with an elbow jumper.
VCU still showed fight but Richmond always appeared one step ahead as a three took the Spiders’ lead to 65-50.
The Rams brought it back to 11 but foul trouble kept the Spiders in the driver’s seat. Sweeney continued to command the Richmond offense with another three, her fifth of the game.
VCU’s offense began picking up with three straight made shots but Richmond continued to stay out of reach. The Spiders hit free throw after free throw to secure the 77-65 win.
Richmond’s efficient shooting and free throw numbers were the difference in the win. The Spiders shot 53% from the field and only missed one of their 18 free throw attempts. VCU showed flashes of good production but it was never able to keep up with Richmond’s efficiency.
Kneževic had a career-high 22 points despite the loss.
VCU will play its next game at Loyola University Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.