It’s been a long time since the VCU women’s basketball team played at the Siegel Center. In fact 28 days have passed since their last home court advantage. The Rams were truly tested as road warriors early in the season traveling an incredible 2,406 miles over the course of their last 6 consecutive away games. It was a grueling schedule but the team has been making progress and with their return to the Stu they played an incredibly up tempo game and gave their fans a terrific show.
Today’s game brings VCU to a 5-4 record in non-conference play and a perfect record this season at home for new Head Coach Beth O’Boyle. This also brings the Rams home streak to 7 with their last 4 home games of the 2013-14 season. The UNC Greensboro Spartans also played aggressively and up tempo, which kept much of the game very close in scoring. There were 9 ties throughout the game and both teams really got after the ball. UNCG has been averaging 12.2 steals per game and VCU held them off the majority of the first half keeping them to only 2 while the Rams had 4 during the same time. UNCG performed really well in rebounding, and on offense that resulted in several extra chances for baskets. The Spartans had 9 offensive boards in the first half and a total of 22 for the game. The Rams in contrast had 4 in the first half and 9 the entire game. At the end of the game both teams had 28 total defensive boards, but UNCG had 50 overall thanks to their higher offensive total.
VCU led at the half, which is a statistic that has translated to a win so far this season and the trend continued today. In the second half the Rams extended their lead, but the Spartans came back with a vengeance to eliminate the lead and overtake them briefly. Despite a very strong effort they weren’t able to hold onto the lead change and the Rams charged ahead outshooting the Spartans overall in every category. A well fought battle on both sides and a nice home victory for the VCU on their first game back. The Rams had 4 players who scored in double digits Keira Robinson with 19, Adaeze Alaeze with 17, Camille Calhoun with 14, and Chadarryl Clay with 11. Calhoun led the team with 10 rebounds and Melanie Royster added 5 blocks to the effort.
The win wasn’t the end of the day for the players and staff as post play they gathered up young Ram fans for a clinic. Coach O’Boyle introduced the little fans to every member of the team. They did some group warm ups and then the players and coaches split off into smaller groups to work with the kids on their basketball skills. One day we may even see a few of them in a VCU jersey. We know at least one Junior Rowdy Ram who has that goal already.
The next home game is on Thursday December 18th at 11am when VCU takes on High Point for “Education Day”. All elementary schools receive free admission!
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