Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. - VCU used a 23-2 run to take the decisive lead in the first half as the La Salle women's basketball squad dropped a 69-50 decision at the Siegel Center on Sunday afternoon.

Shanel Harrison posted a double-double in the loss, leading all scorers with 20 points and 10 rebounds. She posted her eighth straight double figure scoring game, now averaging 17.5 ppg in that span.

Jordan Mosley chipped in nine points and seven rebounds and Siobhan Beslow added eight points and six rebounds.

VCU(10-15, 3-7 Atlantic 10) had a balanced offensive attack with a quartet of Rams scoring 11 points apiece, including Adaeze Alaeze, Jessica Pellechio, Robyn Parks and Janniina Koivunen.

The Explorers (8-17, 4-6 Atlantic 10) jumped out to an early 5-0 lead on a Harrison layup, Karynda DuPree free throw and a Beslow jumper.

Alaeze got the Rams on the board at 15:58 and Harrison responded with a jumper 20 seconds later for a 7-2 advantage. That was the biggest lead the Explorers would have. With the Explorers leading 10-6, a Pellechio three sparked the 23-2 run to take a 29-12 lead with 3:57 left in the first half.

The Explorers responded with an 8-1 spurt to end the half, four of those from Harrison along with an Ebonee Jones layup and two Beslow free throws to put the score at 30-20 at the half.

VCU then used a 22-6 run to open the second half and take a 52-26 lead with 13:14 remaining, and the squads traded baskets down the stretch for the final 69-50 tally.

Nikki Ortiz saw 12 minutes of time late in the game, knocking down two baskets for a career high for the senior walk-on, and added an assist, steal and rebound.

The Explorers were hampered on the floor, shooting just 27.0 percent. The Rams hit 47.3 percent of their shots.

La Salle edged VCU on the glass, outrebounding the home squad 43-41.

The Explorers return to action on Wednesday (2/20) when they travel across town to Atlantic 10 and Big 5 rival Saint Joseph's. Tipoff at Hagan Arena is set for 7 p.m.