Jenny Allen, Staff Writer
Despite it being Valentine’s Day, Saint Bonaventure University showed no love as it beat VCU women’s basketball 64-53 in its home gym. It was interim Head Coach Kirk Crawford’s first home game in his new position.
The Bonnies won the tip and immediately scored the opening points. St. Bonaventure soon followed it up with the first three of the game to jump ahead early.
The Rams tried to match the Bonnies’ quick start as fourth-year forward Makennah White responded with a layup.
St. Bonaventure began to pull away with a 16-6 lead when graduate guard Laycee Drake hit a jumper from the paint with five minutes and 15 seconds remaining.
VCU redshirt third-year forward Ann Zachariah tried to match the Bonnies’ energy and gave the Rams their first fast break points.
Bonnies third-year forward Brillana Boyd quickly took charge to shut down the Rams and keep their 10-point lead.
VCU outshined St. Bonaventure on the boards, however the team’s ability to finish the putbacks lacked.
“We just have to work on execution in critical times of the game,” Crawford said.
VCU redshirt fourth-year guard Ty Williams and second-year forward Katarina Kneževic used their skills to give their team momentum as they closed out the first quarter.
VCU entered the second quarter down four points, however it remained locked in on defense and got a steal right away.
Both teams struggled from three early in the game. Though Williams eventually knocked down the Rams first three — putting them down by three points with seven minutes remaining.
The close game turned scrappy as the Bonnies’ Pettinelli hit a controversial shot clock three to put them up by four points with five minutes remaining. After questioning, the three was later taken away.
Kneževic continued to stack up her stats with an offensive board and second chance jumper, and then a fast break lay up. It gave the Rams their first lead of the game, 26-25, with three minutes and 40 seconds remaining.
The tension thickened as Pettinelli hit a three in the Rams’ face, quickly taking the lead back by two with three minutes remaining before halftime.
VCU out-rebounded the Bonnies 20-13 at halftime, however the Bonnies held a shooting advantage, 54% to 39%.
Back-and-forth scoring filled the beginning of the third until VCU missed a jumper and St. Bonaventure made a layup.
The Rams started with the ball as they entered fourth down 42-49 — hoping for a comeback.
Kneževic maintained her composure and gave the Rams momentum — less than a minute into the fourth — with a steal and a fastbreak layup.
An impressive steal by Williams and a no-look pass to Kneževic closed the gap to 46-51 with six minutes remaining.
Williams knocked down her third three of the day to bring the lead to nine with less than three minutes remaining.
St. Bonaventure kept its foot on the pedal however, not allowing VCU to bring it closer as the game came to an end.
Despite the Rams’ efforts, they fell short by 11 points, 64-53.
“We are taking that approach that our practices are our games and we are going to progress in every practice til’ the end of the year,” Crawford said.
VCU women’s basketball will play its next game against Davidson at the Stu on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.