VCU Defeats Tribe, 73-53

01/09/08 9:40PM

RICHMOND, Va. - The William and Mary women’s basketball team fell to Virginia Commonwealth, 73-53, on Wednesday evening in Richmond, Va.

Senior Devin James recorded a team-high 12 points to lead a quartet of Tribe (6-8, 0-2) players in double figures scoring. Senior Kyra Kaylor totaled 11 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while sophomore Tiffany Benson finished with 10 points and eight boards. Freshman Katherine DeHenzel added 10 points, all of which came in the second half.

As a team, W&M out-rebounded the Rams, 41-35.

VCU (12-1, 2-0) jumped out to an early 12-6 lead at the initial media timeout, as James scored a pair of the College’s baskets.

While the Rams gradually extended their advantage to double figures, 18-8, with 10:34 showing, the Tribe held VCU scoreless for nearly a five-minute span to battle back within four, 18-14. Freshman Kelly Heath contributed four points during the 6-0 spurt.

The Rams answered the Green and Gold’s run by scoring 10 of the next 12 points to push its lead back into double figures, 28-16, with 2:53 remaining in the half. VCU’s Radoslava Bachvarova then hit a three pointer in the waning seconds of the stanza to help the Rams take a 33-18 advantage into the locker room.

Benson led the College at the intermission with six points and six rebounds. Additionally, W&M held a 21-17 edge on the glass.

While VCU scored the first two buckets following the break, the Tribe countered with a 6-2 spurt to narrow the margin to 15. However, the Rams responded with a quick 9-0 run during the next 1:46.

VCU gradually pulled away by as many as 30, and W&M was unable to get closer than 19 points the rest of the way.

The Tribe will return to action when it hosts Delaware on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Box Score