CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | PHOTOS | POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
PITTSBURGH, PA – A three-point basket from VCU freshman guard Kseniya Malashka was part of a 14-8 fourth-quarter advantage which helped top-seeded VCU secure a 58-47 Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball quarterfinal victory over eighth-seeded Saint Joseph’s Friday at the A.J. Palumbo Center.
The win gives VCU (22-8) its second-ever Atlantic 10 Semifinal appearance, with the first coming in 2016. The Rams will advance to play the winner of fourth-seeded Dayton and fifth-seeded Davidson, in the first of two semifinal games, which will tip off Saturday at 11 a.m. ET and be televised by CBS Sports Network.
“I know Saint Joseph's is playing it’s best basketball in March,” VCU coach Beth O’Boyle said. “I knew we had to play 40 minutes. I know the first one is always the hardest one. I am really happy with how hard we played for 40 minutes.”
VCU was led by sophomore guard Tera Reed, who had 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting along with five rebounds. Her 21 points is a career high for most scored in an Atlantic 10 contest. VCU was able to outrebound Saint Joseph’s by a 48-30 margin.
Malashka, an Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team selection also contributed to VCU’s cause Friday with 13 points, nine rebounds, six blocks, and two steals. Additionally, the Rams scored 36 points in the paint compared to Saint Joseph’s 12.
“She’s a very talented player,” said O’Boyle. “She is so long and athletic. Our players joke that her ‘Go Go Gadget arms’ get blocks. She’s going to continue to get stronger and develop. We’re excited to have her at VCU.”
Saint Joseph’s senior guard Kristalyn Baisden posted a team-high 17 points in her final collegiate game, while Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team selection Katie Jekot added nine points.
“I’m really proud of our team,” Saint Joseph’s coach Cindy Griffin said. “There have been some challenges but we really gave a great game to the number one seed today. I really can’t ask any more from my team.”
VCU led by as many as eight points in the first half, an advantage which came after Reed, an Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team selection, completed a three-point play at the free throw line.
Saint Joseph’s was able to cut its deficit to two points early in the second quarter, scoring the opening five points of the frame as VCU opened the stanza 0-for-5 from the field, but the Rams held onto a 29-25 halftime advantage.
In the third quarter, it was Saint Joseph’s that struck first as a Kristalyn Baisden three-point basket with 7:03 remaining in the third quarter gave the Hawks their first lead of the game.
VCU was able to bounce back and outscored Saint Joseph’s by a 14-7 margin to reclaim the lead.
Defensively, VCU held Saint Joseph’s to a 28.8% shooting clip and the Hawks scored four points off 14 Rams miscues. It also held Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team selection Alyssa Monaghan to five points on 2-of-11 shooting.
With the loss, Saint Joseph's falls to 12-19 on the season.