DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton women's basketball team fell to VCU, 74-72, Wednesday, January 13. Sophomore Jenna Burdette led the Flyers with 20 points. The Flyers now fall to 8-7 on the season and 1-3 in Atlantic 10 action while VCU climbs to 13-4 overall and 2-2 in league play.

GAME BREAKDOWN:
1Q: Junior Saicha Grant-Allen made the first points of the game with a quick jumper to start things off. VCU quickly answered with a three-point basket. After VCU continued to make baskets, Dayton responded with back-to-back threes by Burdette and Junior Christy Macioce to shorten VCU's lead to one. Grant-Allen converted the and-one for the lead with 4:20 remaining in the quarter. Dayton continued to remain hot through the remainder of quarter to take a 26-20 lead to enter the second frame.
2Q: Freshman Ashleigh Parkinson made a shot behind the arc to give Dayton its biggest lead of the night at 11 points, 42-31. The Rams' quickly answered by shortening the Flyers lead to two, and VCU converted a pair of free throws to tie the game in the remaining minute of the half. VCU made a three with 20 seconds remaining, but Dayton quickly responded as Burdette sank a three and the teams to the locker room tied a 45 apiece.
3Q: Grant-Allen led off the second half just as she had done at the beginning of the game with back-to-back baskets. VCU followed by doing the same, tying the game at 49 each. With a three-pointer made by VCU to take a 52-49 lead, the Rams never looked back. The quarter ended with VCU ahead two, 60-58.
4Q: VCU opened the final quarter with a made three-point. The Rams maintained a lead for the majority of the quarter, but in the final 30 seconds freshman Lauren Cannatelli made a jumper to bring the game within three in the final 30 seconds. Dayton fouled, sending VCU to the line to make it a two-possession lead. Grant-Allen made her shot and the ensuing to pull Dayton to within two with 25 seconds left to play. The Flyers were unable to convert their last possession, resulting in a 74-72 loss.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Four Flyers scored in double-digits: Burdette with 20; Grant-Allen with 14; senior Jodie Cornelie with 10; and Cannatelli with 12.
• Nine of the 10 Flyers who saw playing time scored

KEY STATS

• Dayton had 21 turnovers.
• VCU recorded nine steals to Dayton's five. 
• Dayton shot 47 percent on the night, compared to VCU's 40 percent
• There were seven lead changes throughout the game

UP NEXT
Dayton will now travel to St. Louis to face off against the Billikens on Saturday January, 16 at 8:00 PM.