The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rams (12-1, 1-0 A-10) defeated the Massachusetts Minutewomen (2-10, 0-1 A-10) 65-45 on Saturday afternoon. The Rams extended their lead to 10-6 over the Minutewomen in the all-time series history.
In Saturday afternoon’s game, UMass kept the game close in the first half until VCU took over in the second half. The Rams outscored the Minutewomen by 14 points in the second half. Foul trouble also impacted UMass as Alexsia Rose fouled out of the game, Bre Bellamy had 4 fouls, and Lilly Ferguson and Chinenye Odenigbo each had 3 fouls. VCU committed 14 fouls in the first half alone which allowed UMass to attempt 19 free throws. The Minutewomen were only able to make 12 of the 19 free throws. The Rams came out in the second half and did not let UMass get to the free-throw line for the rest of the game.
Jennifer Ezeh led the way for the Rams in scoring with 12 points, while Sarah Te-Biasu, Timaya Lewis-Eutsey, and Mary-Anna Asare each had 10 points to round out all scorers in double-digits for VCU. Mykel Parham had 9 points, Deni Torgut had 5 points, Grace Hutson had 3 points, and Samantha Robinson and Mahaila Harrison each 2 points to round out all scorers for the Rams.
Kristin Williams, Stefanie Kulesza, and Tori Hyduke led the way with 8 points for the Minutewomen. Bellamy had 7 points, Ferguson had 4 points, Rose, Lilly Taulelei, and Dallas Pierce all had 3 points apiece, and Odenigbo had 1 point to round out all scorers for UMass. The Minutewomen were without Jermany Mapp for the second consecutive game as she is still rehabbing her shoulder injury that occurred back in November down in Cancun. Mikenzie Jones has yet to make her Minutewomen debut, but she is available for UMass right away.
VCU hits the road for the first time in conference play against conference rival the Richmond Spiders (11-3, 1-0 A-10) on Wednesday, January 3rd at 6pm in the Robins Center. This will be the 91st meeting between the Rams and the Spiders, and VCU leads the all-time series history 47-43.
UMass opens up conference play at home on Tuesday, January 2nd against the Dayton Flyers (6-7, 0-2 A-10) at 5pm in the Mullins Center. This will be the 31st all-time meeting between the Minutewomen and the Flyers, and Dayton leads the all-time series history 17-13.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Scoreboard Saturday, December 30th:
- The Richmond Spiders (11-3, 1-0) defeated the George Washington Revolutionaries (7-6, 0-1) 70-66.
- The Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (4-8, 1-0) defeated the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (6-6, 0-1) 84-72.
- The Saint Joseph’s Hawks (12-1, 1-0) defeated the Fordham Rams (5-8, 0-2) 76-49.
- The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (12-1, 1-0) defeated the Massachusetts Minutewomen (2-11, 0-1) 65-45.
- The George Mason Patriots (10-2, 1-0) defeated the La Salle Explorers (3-9, 0-1) 74-37.
- The Duquesne Dukes (7-6, 2-0) defeated the Dayton Flyers (6-7, 0-2) 70-42.
- The Rhode Island Rams (9-5, 1-0) defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (5-9, 0-1) 63-58.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Tuesday, January 2nd
- Dayton Flyers (6-7, 0-2) at Massachusetts Minutewomen (2-11, 0-1) at 5pm.
- George Mason (10-2, 1-0) at Rhode Island Rams (9-5, 1-0) at 6pm.
- Davidson Wildcats (11-1, 1-0) at La Salle Explorers (3-9, 0-1) at 6:30pm.
- Wednesday, January 3rd
- Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (4-8, 1-0) at Fordham Rams (5-8, 0-2) at 11am.
- Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (12-1, 1-0) at Richmond Spiders (11-3, 1-0) at 6pm.
- Saint Louis Billikiens (5-9, 0-1) at Loyola Chicago Ramblers (6-6, 0-1) at 7pm.
- George Washington Revolutionaries (7-6, 0-1) at Saint Joseph’s Hawks (12-1, 1-0) at 7pm.
Featured Image: Chris Tucci, UMass Athletics
Kaily “KG” Godek is a current student at Western New England University (WNE). She has been a supporter of UMass Athletics for over 15 years. Kaily focuses on both UMass Basketball teams and occasionally on the other Women’s Basketball teams in the conference. While writing for A10 Talk, she works in the athletic department at WNE. When she graduates from WNE she wants to go into Sports Broadcasting and Journalism. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.
