VCU's hot start withstands late comeback effort from Providence

Cancun, MX - The VCU Rams were eager for the start of the Cancun Challenge and it showed on Thursday morning en route to a 57-51 victory over the Providence Friars.

VCU was led Mary-Anna Asare, who scored a game-high 17 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists. Asare was particularly effective in the first half scoring 14 of her 17 points in the first two quarters. As a team, the Rams shot 16-of-24 from the field and held Providence to just 7-of-26 shooting in the first half as they built a 36-20 lead at halftime.

The tide turned in the second half however as Providence held VCU to just 3-of-21 from the field, including 0-of-9 in the second half. Led by Grace Efosa, Olivia Olsen and Marta Morales, the Friars chipped away at the lead and closed the gap to just three points with thirty seconds left in the game before VCU free throws sealed the deal. Efosa finished the game with 12 points while Olsen and Morales each had 11 points.

VCU improves to 4-2 on the season and will take on San Diego State tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. ET, while Providece falls to 3-4 on the year and will take on Wisconsin tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET.

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