The VCU Rams led 3-0 in the series against the St. Bonaventure Bonnie’s when the teams met in Richmond. SBU came in with a 19-3 record (8-1 in conference) and boasting the best defense in the A-10 holding opponents to just 33.8% shooting. Even though the visitors held the Rams to 32.8% from the field VCU was able to maintain a perfect series and move to 4-0 against the Bonnies.
VCU was able to match SBU during the first quarter as both teams went 33.3% from the field and 0-3 from long range. The main difference was all of the Bonnie’s scoring came from Katie Healy who contributed 10 points and 3 rebounds for SBU. The Rams had 4 scorers led by Adaeze Alaeze with 4 points including an incredible spin move and finish. At the buzzer the game was tied 10-10.
The Bonnie’s came out on top during the second quarter holding the Rams to single digit scoring. SBU led by as many as 5 and ended with a 2 possession advantage. Both teams played up tempo and aggressive at both ends of the floor. Each team went 1-4 from beyond the arc and ended with 19 rebounds. VCU shot more but SBU had better results from the field. The Bonnies ended the half with 41.7% shooting compared to 25.8% from the Rams and led 23-19.
VCU did not back down in the third quarter and kept after the Bonnies who ran into foul trouble with Gabby Richmond and Matea Britvar with 3 each. Continuous pressure on defense as well as Isis Thorpe warming up from long range helped the Rams secure the advantage. Thorpe drained her second 3 pointer of the quarter with 0:03 remaining. VCU had a 1 point margin with 32-31 heading into the final 10 minutes.
In a game where both teams struggled to get a run going SBU tied it up 39-39 at 6:32 but then VCU hit their next gear with a 6-0 streak taking back the lead. The final minutes both teams battled it out as the Rams fought to hold their lead and the Bonnies continued to chip away to as close as 2 but VCU countered every time. In the end the Rams were able to close and claim a 52-47 victory.
The Bonnies were led by Katie Healy with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Alaeze worked on her spin moves and led the Rams with 12 points followed by Thorpe with 11. Ogunnorin led at the glass with 11 rebounds followed by Keira Robinson with 8 and both contributed 9 points each. VCU hits the road for the next 4 games and plays their final home game on February 24 versus George Mason.
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