VAUGHN SPARKS VCU TO 78-73 WIN, FIRST 5-0 START
11-24-06
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Junior forward Krystal Vaughn (Baltimore, Md./Lake Clifton-Eastern) erupted for 24 points and seven rebounds as Virginia Commonwealth University held off East Carolina, 78-73, and moved to 5-0 for the first time in program history Friday night at the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

In addition to establishing a school record, the Rams’ five-game win streak is their longest since ripping off six in a row during the 2001-2002 season. It also snaps VCU’s six-game losing streak to ECU (1-4) dating back to 1999-2000.

Vaughn, who missed her career high point total by one, canned 9-of-16 shots from the floor, as well as 6-of-7 from the free throw line, for the Black and Gold. Freshman forward D’Andra Moss (Atlanta, Ga./Norcross) (pictured) added a career-high 17 points, as well as seven rebounds for the Rams, while sophomore center Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) kicked in 13 points.

The VCU win spoiled the homecoming of the Richmond-native and Monacan High School grad Jasmine Young, who led all scorers with 25 points for the Lady Pirates.

The Rams never trailed after halftime and led by as many as nine points in the second half, but East Carolina didn’t give up without a fight.

The Lady Pirates biggest threat came at the 7:17 mark, when a drive and jumper by Young shaved the VCU lead to 61-60. However, VCU junior guard Lakea Jones (Fort Washington, Md./National Christian Academy) drove down and banked home an eight-foot runner to push the margin back to three points. ECU followed with a missed jumper and a turnover on its next possession, and Moss sank two free throws with 5:40 left to make the score 65-60.

Young hit a pair of free throws to trim the score to 65-62, but the Rams put the Lady Pirates away with a 7-0 burst over the next 2:30, getting a bucket each from Hollingsworth and Vaughn.

VCU shot a season-high 49 percent (27-of-55) from the field in the game, including 52 percent (12-of-23) in the second half. The Black and Gold also forced 23 East Carolina turnovers.

The Rams struggled at the start. Hollingsworth picked up her second foul 2:12 into the contest and went to the bench for the remainder of the first half. In her absence, VCU eventually found itself behind 19-12 with 9:35 remaining in the period.

But VCU got a boost from a pair of freshman exploded with a 21-4 run over a seven-minute stretch and assumed a 33-23 lead with 2:45 left. Freshman La’Tavia Rorie (Charlotte, N.C./Harding University H.S.) knocked down a 3-pointer to spark the run and a short time later Moss tied the game at 19-19 with a putback. Vaughn hit a jumper with 6:24 showing to give VCU a 23-21 lead and the Rams never trailed again. VCU led, 38-31 at the break.

The Rams look to remain unbeaten when they head to Norfolk State on Wednesday, Nov. 29 for a 7 p.m. clash at Echols Hall.