VCU women No. 1 in CAA

The theory in any sport is that defense wins championships, especially in basketball. The Virginia Commonwealth University women’s basketball team put on a championship-type defensive performance on Thursday night as the Rams dominated the Tigers of Towson University, 63-34, in Colonial Athletic Association action. ”Our defense was excellent tonight,” VCU head coach Beth Cunningham said. “In order […]

February 13, 2009; 10:56 AM • by FTRea

The theory in any sport is that defense wins championships, especially in basketball.

The Virginia Commonwealth University women’s basketball team put on a championship-type defensive performance on Thursday night as the Rams dominated the Tigers of Towson University, 63-34, in Colonial Athletic Association action.

”Our defense was excellent tonight,” VCU head coach Beth Cunningham said. “In order to win in this league you have to be able to compete on the defensive end first and every kid that played tonight gave us the effort we look for night in and night out.”

VCU is winners of 16 of its past 18 and hold a 20-4 overall mark, best start in school history, and a 10-2 record in league play. Towson drops only its third home contest this season to fall to 13-9 on the year and 5-7 in CAA action.

A lay-up from freshman Jennifer Lane capped off a fast start for the VCU as it held an 8-2 advantage with 15:15 showing on the first half clock.

After Towson got within 10-5, the VCU defense took over from there holding the Tigers without a point for 7:04 and put together a 13-0 run thanks to six points from senior Quanitra Hollingsworth.

The Rams would head into the halftime break with a 30-16 lead thanks to a stifling defense that held Towson to just 22.7% from the field and 14 Tiger turnovers.

Six points from La’Tavia Rorie (Charlotte, N.C.) and four from Hollingsworth sparked a 10-2 run out of the gate in the second half to push the Black & Gold lead to 22 at 40-18 with 14:14 to play.

Freshman Courtney Hurt would make sure that the Tigers would not get any closer as she tallied nine second-half points to help the Rams to a dominating 63-34 road victory.

“Every time you are able to get a win on the road it’s crucial,” Cunningham said. “Places like Towson and Delaware are such tough places to play and to come in and get these wins, it’s big for this team.”

The Towson Center had been a place that no Rams squads like to come to with Thursday night’s victory being the first since 2003-2004 at the arena for VCU.

For the 21st time in 24 games, the Rams had at least three players in double-figures led by 13 points from Hollingsworth. Hurt and senior Radoslava Bachvarova both tallied 11, while Rorie finished 10 points. The 11 points from Hurt was a career-high was the youngster.

Rorie had an outstanding overall night with nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals along with her 10 points. Hollingsworth also grabbed eight boards for the Rams.

No Tiger scored in double-figures, while Kandace Davis finished with eight points and 13 rebounds on the night.

The Rams head home for their biggest game of the year so far as the Dukes of James Madison come to the Siegel Center for battle of two the three teams tied atop the CAA standings. Game time on Sunday afternoon is set for 2 p.m.

The game marks the “Pink Zone” promotion that shows support for breast cancer research.

– The information above was provided by Scott Day at VCU