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.