VCU SUCCUMBS TO DELAWARE PRESSURE, 82-51
2-1-07
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University sophomore Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake, Va./ Great Bridge) provided one of few bright spots for the Rams with her sixth double-double in an 82-51 loss Thursday to surging Delaware at the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

Hollingsworth pumped in 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor and corralled a game-high 10 rebounds for VCU (10-10, 3-6 CAA). It was Hollingsworth’s fourth consecutive double-double and the 20 th of her career. She also blocked two shots and ripped two steals.

Junior guard Vera Chistova (St. Petersburg, Russia/St. Petersburg #86) chipped in nine points, coming off three 3-pointers, and junior guard Brittany Pinkney (Clinton, Md./The Patterson School) added seven points, four assists and two steals for the Rams.

Delaware (18-3, 9-1 CAA) was led by 2006 CAA Defensive Player of the Year Tyresa Smith, who dropped in a game-high 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds and three steals. Kyle DeHaven also provided a career-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor, while handing out five assists with four steals.

The Fightin’ Blue Hens’ pressure defense caused the Black and Gold headaches all night, as Delaware forced the Rams into a season-high 29 turnovers. UD also owned a 33-26 edge on the glass.

VCU came out firing in the first half, hitting on 68 percent (13-of-19) from the field in the first half to keep the Blue Hens in reach at 38-31 at halftime.

However, Delaware scored the first 12 points of the second half and never looked back.

The Rams return to action on Sunday, Feb. 4 when they travel to Fairfax, Va. to battle CAA-foe George Mason at 2 p.m. at the Patriot Center.