Box Score Score: Loyola Chicago 52, VCU 50
Location:  Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 12-17 (6-11), Loyola Chicago 12-16 (4-13)
 
The short story: VCU trailed Loyola Chicago taking a 44-34 with 17 seconds left in the third quarter before a 16-6 run by the Rams tied the game at 50-50 with 43 seconds left on a Valentina Ojeda 3-pointer. The Ramblers scored on their next possession and VCU's attempt to send the game into overtime fell short. 
 
OPENING TIP:

• Mary-Anna Asare led VCU's offensive charge with 15 points
• Mykel Parham had a game-high 11 rebounds along with eight points
• The Ramblers shot 37.5 percent from the floor while VCU struggled and shot just 29.6 percent
• VCU shot 26 percent from beyond the arc, while limiting Loyola to 18 percent on 3-pointers
• Loyola held a 24-14 edge in points in the paint. The Ramblers' bench outscored VCU 12-6
• Emma Theodorsson had 22 points for the Ramblers and Sitori Tanin scored 11

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Rams opened the contest on a 8-2 run as Asare made a pair of 3-pointers and a field goal in the game's first two minutes
• Although VCU didn't allow a Ramblers' field goal for 5:37 stretch of the first quarter, the Ramblers ultimately outscored VCU 11-4 to take a 13-12 lead into the second
• Grace Hutson sunk a 3-pointer to take back the Rams' lead in the first minute of the second quarter, but Loyola used a 14-1 run to take an 30-21 lead at the half
• VCU was unable to make up much traction in the third quarter, trailing by as much as 10 points twice. The Rams were behind 44-34 with 17 seconds remaining
• Asare's 3-pointer at the buzzer the third quarter sparked VCU's 11-1 run to  cutting the deficit to just one point with 5:03 remaining to play at 46-45
• Valentina Ojeda ultimately tied the game at 50-50 with 43.2 seconds on the clock with a 3-pointer, but Ramblers' Kira Chivers made a jumper to put them ahead for good
• VCU was unable to convert on its last possession, with the game's final shot falling short

UP NEXT:
VCU will head to Philadelphia, Pa., to play its regular season finale on the road at La Salle on Saturday, March 1, before the Atlantic 10 Championship begins on March 5. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.