Dukes Defeat Rams: VCU Struggles from the Field in 55-42 Loss

Richmond, VA – VCU women’s basketball fell to the James Madison Dukes 55-42 in a challenging matchup at home. The Rams struggled offensively, shooting just 25% (15-61) from the field, while the Dukes fared better at 39% (21-54). Ro Scott led James Madison with 16 points, while Mary-Ana Asare led VCU with 13 points.

The game opened with Jamia Hazell’s jumper putting the Dukes on the board at the 9:13 mark of the first quarter. Mykel Parham responded for the Rams, tying the game at 2 with a layup. However, the Dukes countered with a 7-0 run, capped by Kseniia Kozlova’s layup to establish a 9-2 lead. VCU fought back as Timaya Lewis-Eutsy’s three-pointer and Mary-Ana Asare’s layup cut the deficit to 9-7 with 6:13 left in the quarter. James Madison quickly regained momentum. Hazell’s jumper and a three-pointer from Scott extended their lead to 14-7. Deniz Torgut’s late three-pointer for VCU narrowed the gap to 14-13 with 1:26 left, but Scott’s layup with 56 seconds left put the Dukes' up 16-13 at the end of the 1st quarter.

In the second quarter, Lucia Sotelo gave the Rams their first lead of the game, 17-16, with a layup at 8:52. However, Bree Robinson’s free throws and Ro Scott’s three-point play swung the game back in the Dukes’ favor. A decisive 11-1 run by James Madison stretched their lead to 32-20 with just over two minutes remaining. Asare connected on a three-pointer to cut the halftime deficit to 32-23.

The Rams came out strong in the third quarter. Isabel Whitelaw’s three-pointer capped a 9-0 run, bringing VCU within two points, 34-32, with 6:20 left. But the Dukes answered with a dominating 13-1 run, capped by Annalicia Goodman’s free throws, to take a commanding 47-33 lead. Zoli Khalil’s layup finally ended VCU’s six-minute scoring drought, but the Rams still trailed 47-35 heading into the final quarter.

Despite Timaya Lewis-Eutsy’s three-point play in the fourth quarter, which cut the Dukes’ lead to 49-41, VCU couldn’t close the gap further. James Madison maintained control, securing the 55-42 victory.

The Rams (4-5) will look to bounce back when they face Delaware State on Monday, December 9th. Tip-off is set for 4:30 PM.

Richmond Secures 10th Consecutive Win, Advances to FCS Playoffs After Historic Shutout"

Richmond, VA: The Richmond Spiders clinched their second consecutive Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title and extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 27-0 victory over the William & Mary Tribe in the Capital Cup on Saturday. The Capital Cup, the "Oldest Rivalry in the South," dates back to 1898, and with this win, Richmond now leads the all-time series 66-64-5. This was the Spiders' first shutout over the Tribe since 1973 when they recorded a 31-0 victory.

The game started with a pivotal defensive play on the Tribe’s opening possession. Richmond’s Wayne Galloway intercepted a pass from Tribe quarterback Darius Wilson with 12:02 left in the first quarter. The Spiders capitalized on the turnover as Sean O’Haire drilled a 50-yard field goal—the seventh-longest in Spiders’ history—to take a 3-0 lead.

Later in the first quarter, Richmond extended their lead with a 9-play, 66-yard drive, capped by a 3-yard touchdown run from quarterback Cam Coleman. The successful PAT put the Spiders ahead 10-0 with 2:01 remaining in the opening quarter.

In the second quarter, O’Haire attempted a 20-yard field goal, but the kick was nullified after a roughing-the-kicker penalty by a Tribe defender. The penalty gave the Spiders an automatic first down, and Camden Coleman followed up with a 1-yard touchdown run. O’Haire’s PAT made it 17-0 at halftime.

The Spiders sealed the win in the fourth quarter with a 30-yard field goal from O’Haire and a 1-yard touchdown run by Zach Palmer-Smith, completing the 27-0 shutout. Richmond’s defense was relentless, stifling William & Mary’s offense and securing their first shutout of the Tribe in over 50 years.

The Spiders now advance to the FCS playoffs for the third consecutive season. Richmond will face Lehigh in the first round on Saturday, November 30th, with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m.

VCU Women's Kick-Off Season with Career Highs from Lewis-Eutsey and Hutson: Defeat Hawks 75-60

VCU Women's Basketball won their season opener game on Wednesday, defeating the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks 75-60. The Rams were led by Timaya Lewis-Eutsey, who had a career-high 28 Points, and Grace Hutson scored a career-high 17 points. Zamara Haynes led the Hawks with 23 points.

Mahogany Lester's jumper with 4:46 remaining in the 1st quarter capped a 7-0 run by the Hawks as they led 7-0. The Rams countered as Zoli Khalil's layup put the Rams on the board. During the play, Zoli was fouled and missed the free throw, as the Hawks led 7-2. Mary-Anna Asare drained a 3 with 1:08 remaining in the 1st quarter to cut the Hawks lead to 4 (12-8).

Timaya Lewis-Eutsey had two consecutive driving layups, plus a free-throw to put the Rams up 13-12 with 9:28 remaining in the 2nd quarter. On the following possession, Grace Hutson drained a 3-pointer to extend the Ram's lead to 4 (16-12) with 8:57 remaining in the 2nd quarter. Timaya Lewis-Eutsey's free throw with 8:09 remaining capped a 12-0 run, which was the Rams largest run of the game as the Rams went up 17-12. Grace Hutson connected on a pair of 3-pointers as the Rams extended their lead to 9 (23-14). Mahogany Lester's three-point play (layup followed by a made free throw) ended the Ram's lead as the Hawks trailed by 6. The Rams went to halftime with a 35-25 lead.

Zamara Haynes's layup to start the 3rd quarter cut the Rams lead to 8 points (35-27). The Rams countered with a layup by Timaya Lewis-Eutsey to put the Rams up Double digits (37-27). The Rams maintained their lead in the 3rd quarter as the Rams Led 55-44 entering the 4th quarter. Zamara Haynes's 3-point play cut the Rams lead to 7 as the Rams led 55-47. The Rams countered as they went on a 9-0 run, including a Timaya Lewis-Eutsey 3 pony play. Driving layup, sinking a pair of free throws, & a pair of free throws made by Jennifer Ezeh as the Rams led 67-47 with 6:46 remaining in the 4th quarter. Adebukola Akomolafe's layup with .56 seconds remaining gave the Rams an 18-point lead, which was the largest lead the Rams had (75-57). The Rams held on to win 75-60.

The Rams (1-0) will face Howard on Sunday, November 10th. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 pm.