DAYTON, Ohio -- Down by as many as 17 points, second-seeded VCU came all the way back to defeat third-seeded Fordham, 60-55, in Saturday's semifinals at University of Dayton Arena, and secure its second consecutive trip to the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship finals.
"We realized that something had to change and that started with our defensive effort," VCU's Danielle Hammond said. "I felt like we were getting good shots, but we weren't making until we locked in defensively."
VCU (20-11) was paced by All-Conference Third Team selection Taya Robinson's career-high 22 points. All-Conference Second Team selection Danielle Hammond recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds while also drawing seven fouls. All-Conference First Team award recipient Tera Reed scored 12 points. Senior guard Nyra Williams recorded a career-high 10 rebounds.
This win avenged a 62-47 Atlantic 10 Championship finals setback to Fordham a season ago in VCU's only other finals appearance.
"What an incredible game," VCU coach Beth O'Boyle said. "This is what you expect an Atlantic 10 semifinal to be like. We knew this would be a battle and they would test us. I am so proud of my team. It is easy down 17 to fall apart but we have been resilient all year. I think a lot of people counted us out, but we stuck together."
Fordham (21-11) was led by Player of the Year Bre Cavanaugh's 17 points. All-Rookie Team member Anna DeWolfe added 16. Sophomore Kaitlyn Downey added 13 points.
"I told the kids in the locker room, they beat us," Fordham coach Stephanie Gaitley said. "We let up a bit in the second half, but I am a believer that it comes down to the fourth quarter and they outplayed us."
The first quarter featured VCU's Robinson and Fordham's DeWolfe being responsible for much of the scoring.
Fordham was able to shoot 42.9 percent from the field in the first quarter and though VCU was contained to a 15.4 percent shooting clip, Robinson was able to get to the free throw line converting all seven of her foul shots.
In the second quarter, Fordham continued to show why it was the Atlantic 10's most suffocating defense, playing All-Conference Second Team selection Hammond aggressively, not allowing her to get into a consistent rhythm as she had four points at halftime.
Cavanaugh totaled seven points in the second quarter as Fordham began to create separation.
VCU, which did not make a 3-point basket in its quarterfinal victory over Davidson, tried to make an impact from beyond the arc, but instead missed all six of its attempts which helped Fordham build a nine-point halftime lead.
Fordham continued to be on the attack in the third quarter scoring the opening seven points, after which VCU opted to call a timeout.
After the third-quarter media timeout, VCU set up more of a pressure defense which rushed a Fordham offense that tends to prefer taking more time to develop.
Though Fordham was able to score in a couple of instances, the change in defense kept it honest. VCU went on a 10-0 run in the closing 3:02 of the third quarter to cut its deficit to seven points.
VCU further chipped into the lead when Hammond made a basket in the paint, but then Fordham's offense returned, scoring baskets in consecutive possessions. Though VCU scored in response, O'Boyle called a timeout in an effort to regroup her team.
As Reed converted an and-one play, VCU continued to cut into the Fordham advantage, making it a one-possession game.
Fordham briefly went up by seven points but then were held scoreless for 4:09 as VCU continued to battle its way back.
Robinson made a 3-point shot with 59 seconds remaining in regulation to put VCU to within a point.
When Downey missed two free throws, VCU called a timeout and Robinson got to the basket for a jump shot putting them in the lead for the first time since early on in the first quarter.
Though Fordham countered VCU's free throw makes with one of its own and a Cavanaugh basket, the latter was able to close to game with defense.
VCU led for a total of 58 seconds in the game.