VCU Women’s Basketball got the job done at Saint Joseph’s and headed towards Olean, New York for their second A-10 road game. The Rams collided with Saint Bonaventure and remained perfect all-time against the Bonnies 59-50. Here are a couple things about what went down at the Reilly Center.
I Am Perfection!
With the victory, VCU is now 8-0 all-time against Saint Bonaventure. What makes that record sting the Bonnies more is the fact that the Rams are 4-0 in Olean. There was no lack of trying from St. Bonaventure at the start of the game outscoring VCU 18-6 in the first quarter.
The Black & Gold revamped their offense while keeping the defense on and made their way back into the game. At halftime, the score was tied at 27-27 after VCU scored 19 points in the second quarter.
Things were neck-a-neck until the fourth quarter. Saint Bonaventure could not find a bucket for the opening 5:16 while VCU could not be stopped on a 15-0 scoring run. The deficit was too much for the Bonnies against the clock and the Rams improved to 9-1 in the A-10 with the road win.
New York Chaos
At 9-1, VCU Women’s Basketball is having their best start to conference play in school history. Their best feat after 10 conference games was back in the 2009-10 season were the Rams started 8-2 in the CAA and finished at 12-6.
Saint Bonaventure shot the highest percentage from the field against the Rams this season at 48.8%. Turnovers became the Bonnies downfall with 21 in total and VCU scoring 23 points off of those changes in possession.
One Ram causing plenty of chaos during conference play is Danielle Hammond. Hammond is playing at a high level in A-10 play scoring in double-digits in 8 of VCU’s 10 games off the bench. Against Saint Bonaventure, Hammond finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds in 19 minutes of play.
Other Pieces To The Puzzle
Tera Reed was held to 5 points in the game. VCU’s leading scorer could not produce but the Rams went elsewhere to find those buckets.
Taya Robinson’s last game scoring in double digits was back in January against La Salle (10 PTS). Robinson found her shot against the Bonnies while doing damage at the free throw line going 4-for-4 to finish at 13 points. She also led VCU with 3 steals on the defensive side.
Sofya Pashigoreva is starting to get into a groove at the basket. With Hammond coming off the bench as her relief, Pashigoreva is putting her time in as the starting center to create two consistent forces for the Rams. With 8 points and 8 rebounds, the VCU freshman from Moscow looks to be getting comfortable in her role inside the paint.
That 1⃣5⃣-0⃣ Run!
7 turnovers and only two shot attempts in 5:31 of the 4th quarter. That is what Saint Bonaventure did during VCU’s 15-0 scoring run. VCU scored 3 layups, 4 free throws, and a solo three-ball from Madison Hattix-Covington to get back in the driver’s seat.
There was no secret to the Rams’ success; the defense was just that good. VCU were a step faster towards implementing pressure to force an opposing turnover. Which led to a handful of scoring opportunities for the Rams to cash in on.
Two for two on the road means plenty of ice cream for VCU this week as the Rams come back home in prime position atop of the Atlantic 10.
Coming Up Next!
Next up is the Crosstown Showdown: Part 2 versus Richmond at the Siegel Center on VCU Alumni Day. VCU won the first game 68-43 at the Robins Center back in January. Tip-off is on Saturday, February 9th at 6 PM on CBS 6.3 & ESPN+.
