Box Score
RICHMOND, VA— Winthrop couldn't overcome a 17-point halftime deficit as it fell 59-49 to Virginia Commonwealth, Wednesday evening in women's basketball action at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
After trailing by 21 points early in the second half and 24 at two different times, Winthrop chipped away at the lead and cut it to 10 points (53-43) with just over two minutes remaining. VCU turned the ball over immediately and the Lady Eagles had a chance to cut the lead to seven or eight as Dee Gray penetrated into the lane and kicked the ball to the win for a wide open Dequesha McClanahan, but her three-pointer was off the mark.
McClanahan was a big part of the comeback as she scored 20 of her career-high 26 points in the second half.
“Once we go over the intimidation factor of being on the road, we decided that we could play,” said Winthrop head coach Bud Childers. “The last 15 minutes we saw a glimpse of what this team is capable of doing. We're obviously not pleased with the loss, but we saw some great growth here tonight. McClanahan was outstanding.”
Winthrop (0-3) used tough defense and some increased full court pressure to work its way back into the game. Midway through the second half it looked as if Winthrop was getting the lead down close enough to make a rally after McClanahan hit a three, but VCU answered right back with five straight points for a 50-31 lead. The lead was 18 points with 5:27 remaining when the Lady Eagles ended the game on a 14-6 run and even cut the lead to nine points with 52 seconds remaining but the lead was too steep to overcome.
The Rams (2-0) opened up a double-figure lead by the end of the first half, using a 17-1 run over the final eight and a half minutes. TaQuoia Hammick made a lay-up off a nice feed from Dequesha McClanahan to cut the lead to 14-13 with 8:51 to go in the half, but the Lady Eagles went cold from that point.
Over the final eight minutes of the half, Winthrop was 0-for-8 from the field and committed five turnovers. The run started with six straight points sparked by two baskets from Courtney Hurt and a runner in the lane by Jessica Taylor for a 20-13 lead. Dee Gray made 1-of-2 free throws to make it 20-14, but then the Rams scored 11 straight points.
Winthrop shot just 29 percent from the floor in the first half and outrebounded 21-13. VCU shot 46 percent from the floor and were led by Hurt's 13 points.
The Lady Eagles are now 0-3 all-time against VCU, which has now won 28 of its last 32 games at home.
In addition to her 26 points, McClanahan also had a career-best eight steals. She was 7-for-19 from the field and 10-for-10 from the foul line to go along with four rebounds. Gray added seven points off the bench.
Winthrop was able to work its way back into the game despite shooting 31 percent from the floor in the second half and 30 percent for the game. Winthrop outscored VCU 34-28 in the second half and held the Rams to 36 percent shooting and forced 15 turnovers after just six in the first half.
Hurt led VCU with 25 points and 12 rebounds while Sonia Johnson had eight points.
Winthrop will return home for its next two games beginning on Monday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. against Davidson. Then the Lady Eagles will host Lander University on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 4:30 p.m. as part of a double-header with the men's basketball team, who will face Lander University as well at 7 p.m.
