Women’s hoops: UR 56, VCU 48

Sometimes the hoop seems as big as the ocean, other times it’s smaller than a coffee can. Unfortunately for the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s basketball it was the latter as the Rams suffered a tough shooting night and dropped a 56-48 decision to the Spiders of the University of Richmond in a battle for city bragging […]

December 3, 2008; 10:11 PM • by FTRea

Sometimes the hoop seems as big as the ocean, other times it’s smaller than a coffee can.

Unfortunately for the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s basketball it was the latter as the Rams suffered a tough shooting night and dropped a 56-48 decision to the Spiders of the University of Richmond in a battle for city bragging rights.

The loss ends a three-game winning streak for the Black and Gold as it falls to 4-2 on the year, while Richmond stays unbeaten at a perfect 7-0.

Senior Quanitra Hollingsworth was the lone bright spot on the evening as the veteran netted her third straight double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

It was a tough start for both teams as Hollingsworth’s free-throws evened the game at 4-4 with 16:57 to play in the first half.

Richmond never looked back after that as they burst out on a 17-4 run behind seven points Johanna McKnight as the Spiders grabbed a 26-15 first-half advantage.

Sophomore Jessica Taylor (Woodbridge, Va.) came off the bench to spark the Rams for the second straight game with two steals and two fast-break lay-ups as VCU climbed within nine at 37-28 with 9:19 remaining in the game.

The Black and Gold couldn’t get within six for the rest of the night as the Spiders continued to knock down their free-throws to pull out the 56-48 victory.

Junior Kita Waller (Gainesville) was the first-half force for the Rams and finished 11 points and five rebounds, while Taylor poured in six points off the bench.

Brittani Shells was the game’s leading scorer with 16 points for the Spiders, while McKnight finished with 13 points in the winning effort.

The Black and Gold are back in action at the Siegel Center on Sunday afternoon as they host the Hoyas of Georgetown University in a 2 p.m. contest.

– The information above was provided by Scott Day at VCU Athletics