WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary women's basketball team fell to in-state rival VCU, 72-55, in its season-opener on Tuesday night. The Rams (1-0) put four players in double-figures to defeat the Tribe (0-1) in the season opener for both squads.
 
Despite trailing by five points, the Tribe shot 50-percent from the floor in the opening period. Junior Victoria Reynolds drove to the basket for lay-up to cut VCU's lead to 12-10 at the 3:24 mark. With 29 seconds left, freshman Emma Krause drained a three-pointer from the right side, but the Rams made a layup to end the period with a 22-17 margin.
 
The Rams increased its lead to seven points to end the first half. Senior Bianca Boggs canned a three-pointer from the right wing to narrow the margin to 31-29 with 3:38 remaining in the second quarter. Regardless, VCU finished out the period with a 6-1 run to head into the lockerroom with a 37-30 advantage.
 
VCU used a 7-2 run in the opening stages of the third quarter to build a 14-point lead that it would not relinquish. Sydnei Archi opened the spurt with a jumper, before Danielle Hammond split a pair of free throws. After a Boggs basket, Archie and Hammond each combined on baskets to make it 48-34 with 6:27 left in the frame.
 
W&M Starters – #2 Boggs, #10 Hodgson, #12 Birdsong, #25 Rogers, #30 Reynolds
 
VCU Starters – #1 Robinson, #15 Pashigoreva, #22 Archie, #24 Reed, #24 Williams
 
Individual Highlights
Senior Bianca Boggs paced the Tribe offense with 15 points while adding six rebounds, five steals and four assists. Freshman Eva Hodgson and junior Victoria Reynolds contributed eight points apiece. Reynolds also distributed five assists during her 37 minutes on the court.
 
Sydnei Archie, who finished with 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists, led VCU in the opener. Taya Robinson and Tera Reed each chipped in 11 points, while Madison Hattix-Covington added 10 points off of the bench.
 
Inside the Numbers
- W&M shot 41.5-percent (22-for-53) from the floor in the contest, while the Rams shot 49-perecent (25-of-51).
 
- The Rams held a 36-24 advantage on the glass.
 
- The Green and Gold also forced 18 turnovers, compared to just 15 of its own.
 
Notes
Three Tribe players – redshirt sophomore Harper Birdsong, sophomore Gabby Rogers, and freshman Eva Hodgson – made their first career starts in the season … Senior Bianca Boggs recorded her 43rd career game in double-figures … Freshman Emma Krause also made her collegiate debut scoring four points off of the bench.
 
What's Ahead
W&M has six days off before its second game as it hosts Howard on Monday, Nov. 12. Tip time between the Tribe and the Bison is set for 7 p.m.