RICHMOND, VA – When VCU’s Taya Robinson fouled out in the fourth quarter and she walked to the bench, she approached senior teammate and fellow captain, Tera Reed.
“I told (Reed) to hold me down and she told me to hold the bench down,” Robinson said. “I said I’ve got you.”
“I told her I had the whole leadership part and I’ve got it on the court,” said Reed.
As has been the case in all four of their seasons, the two leaders fulfilled their promises, and VCU won its first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship, securing its first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 2009 with an 81-69 victory over Massachusetts Sunday afternoon at the Siegel Center.
Atlantic 10 Championship Most Outstanding Player Taya Robinson scored 19 points and matched a career-high with five three-point baskets made. All-Championship Team selection Sarah Te-Biasu also scored 19 points. VCU had a season-high with 10 three-point baskets. Tera Reed added 12 points, with 10 of those coming in the fourth quarter, and Janika Griffith-Wallace also earned 10 points.
“What a special moment,” VCU coach Beth O’Boyle said. “First of all congrats to UMass on a tremendous tournament and a tremendous year. Tory has done a tremendous job with them and we knew it was going to be a battle. They were competing from the start and it is so exciting, it is our first Atlantic 10 Championship. For Taya and Tera and Madison (Hattix-Covington), Sofya (Pashigoreva) and Olga (Petrova) all of those who have been here for our third time it feels so special. I am so proud of our team and the way that we did it today.”
UMass saw on of its three All-Championship Team representatives in Sydney Taylor lead all scorers with her 23 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Angelique Ngalakulondi set career highs of 19 points and nine rebounds. Another All-Championship Team selection Sam Breen scored 12 points.
“I’m super proud of the group of young women that I get to coach this year,” UMass coach Tory Verdi said. “I think the country had an opportunity to see how special of a group that they are. Today didn’t go our way and the outcome is not what we hoped for. There is so much to be proud of. We were one game short, but what an unbelievable week we had. Our players need to walk out of here with their heads held high.”
VCU found early success from the three-point line sinking six of its nine looks in the first quarter.
As it has all season for VCU, it started with Robinson a 32.8% three-point shooter, who buried all three of her first-quarter triples, including a trifecta which opened the game.
UMass briefly responded with Breen and Ber’Nyah Mayo each converting two-point baskets which placed the Minutewomen in the lead.
VCU would respond going on a 13-3 run as Te-Biasu converted two three-point baskets of her own, the last of which placed the Rams in front by nine.
Trailing by 10 points, UMass would continue to battle as Ngalakulondi converted an and-one play cutting the deficit to five.
Her effort’s helped UMass score 14 of its 19 first-quarter points in the paint.
Though Destiney Philoxy drew three charges in the first half, she could not earn another one in the closing seconds of the opening quarter allowing Te-Biasu to sink two free throws and place VCU in front by seven points.
UMass cut its lead to four points on two separate occasions in the second quarter but its senior leaders in Robinson and Tera Reed each had answers.
Philoxy had an attempt to make place the halftime score within one possession, but her layup just missed beating the buzzer, meaning VCU led by five points.
In the third quarter, Taylor’s offense began to open up as she scored eight points in the frame. The Minutewomen were able to take advantage of Reed picking up her third foul with 5:04 remaining in the third quarter.
VCU led by two points after three quarters.
After leading for just 20 seconds in the first 32 minutes, a Taylor fast-break layup and a Breen free throw.
Both teams then traded three-point baskets, but VCU would respond with an 8-0 to go up by seven points with Griffith-Wallace hitting her second triple of the quarter.
UMass had another response at the ready with Taylor converting a circus layup drawing the contest back to within one possession.
Up six, VCU was dealt a blow when Robinson fouled out. After UMass made two free throws, VCU put points on the board in each of its next seven possessions, which happened to be the final seven it had in the game.
It started with Madison Hattix-Covington making a jumper and ultimately VCU executed at the free-throw line going 10-for-12 in the final 2:01.
“I think it’s the depth of our team,” said O’Boyle. “All year long we’ve had different players step up. What Taya does is elevate her teammates, and she was great on the bench talking them through and cheering. She’s done it all year long. I think there was a confidence that we’d been here before, stay composed and our defense would fuel us through and that’s how we finished those last two-and-a-half minutes.”
VCU now advances to the NCAA Tournament where it will find out who it faces during Monday’s selection show televised at 7 p.m. by ESPN. The entire tournament will be held in San Antonio.
Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team
Sydney Taylor Massachusetts
Destiney Philoxy Massachusetts
Sam Breen Massachusetts
Sarah Te-Biasu VCU
Taya Robinson VCU
Most Outstanding Player
Taya Robinson VCU