VCU LOCKS DOWN CCSU IN SECOND HALF, COLLECTS 68-47 WIN 11-10-06 Box Score NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – Three Virginia Commonwealth University players finished with 14 points apiece and the Rams turned up the pressure on defense, forcing 15 second-half turnovers to pave the way for a 68-47 season-opening win over Central Connecticut State Friday at Detrick Gymnasium. Junior Krystal Vaughn (Baltimore, Md./Lake Clifton-Eastern) (pictured), senior Michele Cosel (Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee) and freshman D’Andra Moss (Atlanta, Ga./Norcross) all poured in 14 points to spark the offense. Sophomore Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake, Va./ Great Bridge) added 11 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Hollingsworth’s two blocks move her into a fifth-place tie with Jenny Hecht on the Rams’ career list with 66. Trailing 29-23 at the half, VCU (1-0) ratcheted up its defense to turn the tide. After the Blue Devils’ Jamilah Corbitt knocked down a jumper to open the period, VCU ripped off an 11-0 run behind six CCSU turnovers. Moss initiated the burst with a bucket at the 19:30 mark, then a steal by Vaughn set up a layup by junior LaKea Jones (Fort Washington, Md./National Christian Academy) to make it 31-27. Moss picked up a steal on the next possession and Vaughn subsequently converted a three-point play to pull the Rams within 31-30 with 17:21 on the clock. Jones then ripped the ball from the Blue Devils’ Jhanay Harris and Moss drew a two-shot foul and converted both for a 32-31 VCU lead. Cosel’s steal moments later allowed her to get to the free throw line, where she knocked down a pair to give the Black and Gold a 34-31 edge with 16:43 showing. VCU never trailed again. The Rams forced a total of 25 turnovers in the game and held a 43-34 edge on the boards. After misfiring on 16 of 22 shots in the first period, VCU knocked down 15-of-32 attempts (47 percent) in the second. The Black and Gold also hit 23-of-31 from the free throw line, compared to CCSU’s 10-of-20. It was a solid collegiate debut for Moss, who added eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. She was also 6-of-12 from the field. Gabriella Guegbelet led Central Connecticut State with 12 points and 16 rebounds, recording her 45 th career double-double. However, VCU limited the senior forward to just four points and five rebounds after intermission. Brittany Dixon added eight points for the Blue Devils. The Rams return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 15 when they hit the road to face Radford at 7 p.m.