VCU Outlasts URI In OT In Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Quarterfinals

University of Rhode Island Press Release

(Photo courtesy: Brian McWalters/Atlantic 10)

Rhode Island Starters
Muzet, Foppossi, Hendley, Vargas, Tahane

VCU
Te-Biasu, Robinson, Bloom, Reed, Robinson

How it Happened
The season came to and for Rhode Island, as URI was defeated 64-57 in overtime by VCU in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Championship Friday afternoon.

Rhody (11-8) rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime, but VCU outscored URI 10-3 in the extra period. Rhode Island – which struggled offensively after the first quarter – was just 1-for-9 from the floor in the overtime.

After a strong first quarter in which Rhode Island outscored VCU 20-13, VCU controlled the game tempo for most of the remainder of the game. Playing on its home court, VCU dominated the second quarter, limiting URI to seven points. Rhody did not score over the final 4:08 of the half, while VCU had a 14-3 run to help it take a 30-27 lead into the half. Taya Robinson scored 11 points in the quarter, hitting three 3-point shots to spark her team.

Both teams struggled offensively in the third quarter, but VCU extended its lead to eight heading into the final period. The advantage got to as many as 10 points, but Rhode Island fought back, chipping away over the final 7:53 until Catherine Cairns came up with a steal and drew a foul with seven seconds to go. The freshman made both free throws to get URI into overtime, but it was all VCU in the extra period.

Inside the Box Score

• Graduate senior Johanna Muzet had eight points, a team-high nine rebounds and three assists before leaving the game with an injury.
• Senior Marta Vargas led Rhode Island with 17 points, as she tied her career high with five 3-point baskets.
• Redshirt junior Emmanuelle Tahane had 11 points and eight rebounds.
• The Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Year carried Rhode Island in the first quarter, as she scored nine points and made all four of her field goal attempts in the opening period.
• Freshman Catherine Cairns had 15 points and three rebounds.
• VCU had a 26-18 edge in points in the paint.
• The game had just one lead change.
• VCU was 14-of-18 at the free throw line, while Rhode Island was just 6-of-9.