OFFENSE ERUPTS AS VCU HOLDS OFF NORTHEASTERN, 80-74
1-18-06
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University junior forward Krystal Vaughn (Baltimore, Md./Lake Clifton-Eastern)  (pictured) scored six of her 16 points in the final 2:10 to lead the offensive-minded Rams over a persistent Northeastern squad Thursday night at the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

VCU has won two straight to improve to 9-7 overall and 2-4 in the Colonial Athletic Association. Northeastern, making its first-ever trip to VCU, is 3-14 overall and 2-4 in the CAA.

Four players scored in double-figures for the Rams, who set season-highs for points, field goal percentage (53.1) and assists (25) in the contest.

Senior guard Michele Cosel (Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee), playing in her 100th career game, added 14 points and five assists for the Black and Gold, while senior forward Miranda Smith (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River)  and freshman guard La’Tavia Rorie (Charlotte, N.C./Harding University HS) had 11 points and seven rebounds apiece.

The Huskies, who have been decimated by injuries, dressed just seven players. However, Shaleyse Smallwood sparkled for Northeastern, pumping in 19 of her career-high 31 points in the second half. She also had five assists. Ashlee Feldman chimed in with 23 points, including four 3-point baskets for the Huskies.

The Black and Gold’s nearly 20-point margin was trimmed to just 72-70 when Smallwood nailed a layup with 2:29 showing.

But Vaughn answered for the Rams on the ensuing possession, knocking home a bucket off a feed from sophomore center Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge). Two possessions later, Vaughn elevated to drill a sweeping, right-handed hook in the lane for a 76-70 lead with 1:11 left.

Smallwood’s jumper with 55 seconds remaining made it 76-72, but Vaughn converted another Hollingsworth pass in the post for a 78-72 lead with 37 ticks on the board.

VCU led by as many as 17 points after Smith canned a jumper to extend the cushion to 54-37 with 14:02 remaining. But Northeastern would not go away.

Late in the second half, Feldman keyed an 8-0 burst with two free throws and a 3-pointer that trimmed the Rams’ lead to 69-65 with 5:23 showing.

VCU called timeout and drew up a play that led to Rorie finding a wide-open Cosel in the left corner for a 3-pointer and a five-point edge.

The Black and Gold threatened to run away with the game in the first half, firing a 56-percent (18-of-32) clip from the field on the way to a 40-30 cushion

The Rams head south for Atlanta for their next action, where they will take on CAA-rival Georgia State on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m.