Score: La Salle 61, VCU 60
Location: Philadelphia, Pa.
Records: VCU 12-18 (6-12), La Salle 9-22 (3-15)
 
The short story: VCU led by as many as 11 points midway through the third quarter, 37-26, but were unable to hold off La Salle's late comeback.
 
OPENING TIP:

• Mary-Anna Asare led VCU with 18 points, four rebounds and three assists
• Mykel Parham had nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds
• VCU shot 48.1 percent from the floor overall but just 27.1 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range. La Salle shot 38.9 percent from deep (7-of-18) and 37.3 percent from the floor
• La Salle went 10-of-15 from the free throw line while VCU was just 6-of-9
• The Explorers were led by Aryss Macktoon who had 18 points

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Rams fell behind early as the Explorers opened the game on a 9-2 run and led by that margin with 4:10 left
• VCU went on a 7-1 run of their own sparked by a Zoli Khalil layup to get within 10-9 heading into the second quarter
• VCU's offense came alive in the second quarter when trailing 20-19 as a Parham jumper sparked an 11-1 run to give the Rams a 30-21 lead at halftime
• VCU built its lead to as much as 33-21 early in the third quarter and led 37-26 with 6:06 left
• La Salle slowly began its comeback as the Explorers outscored VCU 14-7 to cut the Rams' lead to 44-40 at the end of the third quarter
• VCU pushed its lead back to 49-40 with 8:16 left in the fourth quarter but a 10-3 run from the Explorers reduced the lead to just 52-50 with 4:53 to play
• La Salle took the lead at 58-56 with 2:35 left and held VCU off. The Rams did have a chance to win the game at the buzzer but Valentina Ojeda's shot just missed

UP NEXT:
VCU will play in the Atlantic 10 Championship beginning on Wednesday, March 5. The Rams await their seeding and opponent. The event will be held at the Henrico Sports & Events Center March 5-9.