VCU women eek into A-10 Tournament

Zachary Holden
Staff Writer

They did it! After a difficult and often disappointing season, the VCU women’s basketball team finally achieved their season goal. On Sunday, in the final home game of their season, the Lady Rams welcomed the Rhode Island Rams in a must win game.

Following their loss last weekend to Xavier, the Rams had to win their final game of the season for any hope of making the Atlantic 10 tournament. Led by the duo of Robyn Parks and Jessica Pellechio, VCU beat Rhode Island 55-46 and clinched the 12th and final spot in the conference tournament.

After back and forth scoring started off the game, VCU went on an 11-2 run and built a 10 point lead following a Parks jumper. Not to be outdone, Pellechio added back-to-back 3-pointers to extend to Rams’ lead to 11. A small run from Rhode Island was countered by VCU and the teams went into halftime separated by nine points with VCU leading 30-21.

Parks and Pellechio combined for 21 of VCU’s 30 points in the first half, while also adding nine steals, seven rebounds, and one assist.

VCU started the second half scoring with a Parks layup, and they wouldn’t lose their lead at all. The closest Rhode Island came was within four on a few occasions in the second half, but VCU would immediately respond with a basket or two of their own to keep the game just out of reach.

Five free throws over the course of the final minute officially secured the win for VCU and their tournament berth.

The Lady Rams were led by Parks and Pellechio combining for 41 points, 11 steals, 9 rebounds, and two assists. The team also recorded 20 steals and forced 23 turnovers in what was reminiscent of the men’s team’s stats.

The win came on senior day in which VCU honored their three seniors; Daphne Adebayo, Carleeda Green, and Robyn Hobson, who added seven points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals.

Now the VCU women set their sights on Philadelphia, Pa. where they open tournament play on Mar. 8 at 2:30 p.m. against Duquesne.

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