Harrisonburg, VA - Virginia Commonwealth University placed three players in double-figures to lead a balanced attack as the Rams defeated Hofstra, 51-38, in quarterfinal action at the Colonial Athletic Association Championship in the JMU Convocation Center.
Hofstra was led by freshman forward Shante Evans, who record her league-leading 15th double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
VCU got 18 points from Kita Waller.
The loss drops Hofstra's record to 19-13 this season and the Pride will now await a possible postseason bid. VCU improves to 20-11 and moves on to face host James Madison in the semifinals at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Hofstra was playing with a depleted lineup as red-shirt sophomore guard Candice Bellocchio was injured in the Pride's opening round win over William & Mary and was not at full strength. Bellocchio didn't start for the first time this season, as sophomore guard Nicole Capurso replaced her in the starting lineup. It was Capurso's first start since January 3.
Senior guard Sam Brigham appeared in her 120th career game and is now tied with Vanessa Gidden (2004-07) for third all-time in program history.
D'Andra Moss and Waller would each tally eight points in the first half to lead the way for the Rams as VCU took a 23-19 lead into the break. A physical first half would see the teams account for 17 foul shots, but shoot a combined 6-17 from the charity stripe.
Evans and Bellocchio each scored six points for Hofstra in the opening 20 minutes, with Evans adding a team-best six rebounds and Bellocchio drilling a pair of three-pointers.
Neither team would take a lead larger than three points until Jennifer Lane nailed a three-pointer with 4:23 left in the half to put VCU ahead 20-16.
The Rams would extend the advantage to six at the 2:16 mark after another three from Rhonda Watts before Evans hit a free throw line jumper off a pass from Brigham to make the score 23-19 with 1:55 to play before intermission.
With VCU clinging to a 25-23 lead after a jumper from senior center Jess Fuller with 17:41 left in regulation, the Rams slowly added to their advantage as they scored 13 of the next 14 points in the game to lead 38-24 with 8:59 remaining.
The scoring drought for Hofstra would prove too much to overcome as the Pride would not get closer than 13 the rest of the way.
