December 7, 2008

BALANCED ATTACK LEADS RAMS PAST GEORGETOWN, 71-61
Waller leads five Rams in double-figures
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Head Coach Beth Cunningham knows that she has a number of different scoring options on this year’s Virginia Commonwealth University women’s basketball team.

Just in case anyone else didn’t know that, VCU made sure to display that on Sunday with five different Rams scoring in double-figures to lead the Black and Gold past the Hoyas of Georgetown University, 71-61.

“The balance is really critical for our team,” Cunningham said. “We have a number of different kids that can put the ball in the basket and obviously when we have five kids doing that in one game it gives our opponents a lot of trouble. The key to that balance really comes on how tough we play on the defensive end.”

The stifling defense and the balanced scoring attack was on exhibit right from the start as six different Rams scored in the opening eight minutes of play, while the Black and Gold locked down on defense holding the Hoyas scoreless for the first 7:49 of play as VCU started the game on 16-0 run.

”We really came out and played with a great sense of urgency right from the start of the game,” Cunningham said. “We did a great job executing on both ends and that obviously led to a terrific start for us.”

After a jumper from Karee Houlette brought Georgetown within 11 at 18-7, VCU used a 9-3 run to give the Rams their biggest lead at 17 points after junior Kita Waller (Gainesville, Ga.) (right) knocked down a three-pointer from the wing.

Houlette drilled a three-pointer to from way outside as the Hoyas climbed within 10, the closest score of the first half, as VCU led 32-22 with 2:01 remaining first half.

A three-point play by junior D’Andra Moss (Atlanta, Ga.) with just under a minute to play gave the Rams a 35-24 halftime advantage.

Four points by senior Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake, Va.) sparked a 7-0 run to open the second stanza as VCU pushed their lead to 18 at 42-24 with 17:53 left in the contest.

Eight points from Meredith Cox led a 12-2 Georgetown charge that brought the Hoyas within nine at 56-47 with 5:09 remaining in regulation.

The two teams traded baskets through the final five minutes with the lead never getting below eight as the Rams went 7-of-8 from the charity stripe down the stretch to clinch the 71-61 home victory.

VCU’s balanced attack was on display with five different Rams in double-figures led by Waller’s 15 points. The junior standout also brought down eight rebounds and dished out four assist.

Freshman point guard Jennifer Lane (Wichita, Kan.) (left) chipped in a career-high 12 points, while senior Radoslava Bachvarova (Varna, Bulgaria) poured in 14 points. Hollingsworth and Moss rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

“We really wanted show that we can bounce back so we had a lot of energy and passion today,” Waller said. “We all knew that we had a sluggish start at Richmond and wanted to make sure to show that we were resilient and able to play the way we know we can play.”

Houlette led all scorers as the Hoya senior registered a career-high 18 points in a losing effort.

The Rams will take the week off to focus on final exams before returning to the Siegel Center to host the Bears of Morgan State University in a 7 p.m. contest next Monday evening.