Mary Anna Asare Calls Game as VCU Takes Down Howard in a Thriller

Richmond, VA The VCU Women’s Basketball team defeated the Howard Bison 69 to 66 on Monday evening to pick up their second straight win. Howard came into the matchup undefeated. The Rams were led by Mary Anna Asare, who finished with 25 points, including the game-winning layup. Zennia Thomas led the Bison with 25 points.

Bison Grab the Lead Early but Never Get It Back

A three pointer from Zoe Stewart with 7 minutes and 56 seconds left in the first quarter put Howard up 5 to 4. Zennia Thomas followed with two free throws to extend the lead to 10 to 8. That would be Howard’s biggest lead of the night and the last time the Bison were in front. Ann Zachariah knocked down a jumper to tie the game and that sparked the shift in momentum. VCU closed the quarter strong with two free throws from Mary Anna Asare and a buzzer beating three pointer that pushed the Rams ahead 22 to 15.

Rams Go On a Huge Run

The Rams kept rolling in the second quarter. A three pointer from Katarina Knezevic gave VCU its biggest lead of the game and capped a 13 to 0 run as the Rams went up 30 to 15 with 8 minutes and 7 seconds remaining. Howard responded as a three from Zoe Stewart cut the lead to 7, making it 30 to 23 with just over three minutes left in the half. Mary Anna Asare knocked down a jumper at the buzzer and VCU took a 34 to 25 lead into halftime.

Bison Narrow the Gap

Howard chipped away at the lead in the third quarter. Two free throws from Ariella Henigan cut the Rams lead to 49 to 47 with 1 minute and 36 seconds to go in the period. VCU held a 53 to 49 lead heading into the fourth. The Bison continued to push in the final quarter. A free throw by Nile Miller tied the game at 66 with 17 seconds left.

Mary Anna Asare Delivers in the Clutch

With the game on the line, Mary Anna Asare attacked the basket and finished a layup through contact with 4 seconds remaining to put the Rams up 68 to 66. She calmly knocked down the free throw to extend the lead to 69 to 66. Howard had one last chance, but Zennia Thomas missed a jumper at the buzzer and the Rams held on for the 69 to 66 win.

What’s Next

VCU (3-1) will hit the road and face Colorado in the North Shore Showcase in Hawaii on November 22. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm.

VCU Women’s Basketball Downs Maine 81-77 Behind Multiple Career Nights

The VCU Women’s Basketball team defeated the Maine Black Bears 81–77 on Friday night to move to 2–1 on the season. Prior to Friday’s matchup, the two programs had not met since January 1, 2013. The Rams played without their leading scorer, Mary-Anna Asare, who averages 18 points per game this year. She was sidelined after suffering an injury in the loss to Villanova last week.

VCU was led by Katarina Knezevic, who scored 19 points. Maine’s Kaliyah Sain had a standout night for the Black Bears with 26 points.

Career Nights for Knezevic, Zachariah, Griffin, and Augustin

The Rams saw four players post career highs. Knezevic finished with 19 points, Ann Zachariah added 16, Cyriah Griffin also scored 16, and Patricia Augustin contributed 12. All four set new personal bests in scoring.

Maine Controls the First Half

The game was tied at 8 with 5 minutes left in the first quarter before Maine made its move. After a jumper from Zachariah cut the lead to 12–10, the Black Bears went on a 7–0 run, their largest of the night, sparked by baskets from Lizzy Gruber and Adrianna Smith and capped by a three-pointer from Sain with 17 seconds left in the quarter.

A buzzer-beating jumper from Daija Preston helped VCU trim the deficit, but the Rams still trailed 19–12 at the end of the first quarter.

Maine continued its strong play in the second quarter. A layup from Sain gave the Black Bears their largest lead of the night at 27–15 with just under six minutes remaining.

VCU responded with a 7–0 run led by Griffin, who scored five points during the stretch. Knezevic added a jumper to pull the Rams within 27–22 with 3:52 left in the half.

Rams Close the Second and Third Quarters with Big Runs

A layup by Sain put Maine ahead 32–22 with just over three minutes left in the second quarter. The Rams answered again, closing the half on an 8–0 run. Augustin’s layup with 13 seconds remaining cut the Maine lead to 32–30 at the break.

VCU picked up right where it left off. A layup from Griffin tied the game at 32, and Knezevic followed with a jumper to give the Rams their first lead of the night with 8:40 to play in the third quarter.

The Rams continued to build momentum as the quarter progressed. A late surge featuring a three-pointer from Augustin, a layup from Preston, and a three-pointer from Zachariah helped VCU close the third quarter on another 8–0 run and take a 60–50 lead.

VCU maintained control throughout the fourth quarter and held on for the 81–77 victory.

What’s Next

VCU, now 2–1, will host Howard on Monday, November 17. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Richmond Earns First Patriot League Home Win Over Fordham, 17–14

(Richmond, VA) The Richmond Spiders defeated the Fordham Rams on Saturday, 17–14, to capture their first-ever Patriot League home win. The Spiders led wire to wire and were ahead by as many as ten points. Richmond totaled 323 yards of offense, including 193 passing and 130 rushing, while Fordham managed just 161 total yards with 91 through the air and 70 on the ground. Gunnar Smith, who entered the game leading the Patriot League in passing yards and yards per game, went 19 for 36 with 91 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Kyle Wickersham led the way for Richmond, finishing 23 for 35 with 193 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. After the game, I spoke with Kyle about his performance in the win.

Spiders Start Strong, but the Rams Counter

Richmond opened the scoring as Wickersham connected with Ja’Vion Griffin on a five-yard touchdown pass to cap off a nine-play, 75-yard drive that put the Spiders ahead 7–0. After a fumbled punt return gave Fordham the ball at the Richmond four-yard line, Gunnar Smith found Jack Freeburg for a four-yard score to tie the game at seven. The Spiders regained the lead when Jayden Alsheskie drilled a 36-yard field goal with 14:13 remaining in the second quarter, giving Richmond a 10–7 advantage.

Two Blocked Field Goals Keep Fordham Close

The Spiders looked to extend their lead late in the second quarter, but Alsheskie’s field goal attempt was blocked and recovered by Fordham’s Colby Spencer, who handed the ball off to Nate Lindsey-Gill to end the half. In the third quarter, another Alsheskie attempt was blocked by Terrence Jones II and recovered by Aiden Mack, keeping Fordham within striking distance as Richmond maintained a 10–7 lead.

Lee Bruner IV Saves the Day

With the Rams threatening, Gunnar Smith’s pass was intercepted by Richmond defensive back Lee Bruner IV, who returned it 25 yards to the Spiders’ 47-yard line. Richmond capitalized on the turnover as Wickersham punched in a four-yard rushing touchdown to give the Spiders their largest lead of the game, 17–7, with 3:47 remaining in the third quarter. Fordham answered in the fourth when Jack Kaiser scored on a four-yard run to cut the deficit to 17–14 with just over eight minutes to play. In the final minute, Bruner sealed the victory with his second interception of the game, returning it two yards with 55 seconds remaining as the Spiders held on for the 17–14 win. After the game, I spoke with Camden Byrd, who shared his thoughts on the team’s strong defensive effort.

At the Podium

Following the win, Head Coach Russ Huesman praised his team’s toughness and ability to respond in key moments.

What’s Next

The Spiders, now 5–4 overall and 2–3 in Patriot League play, will hit the road next week to take on Georgetown on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.