VCU Rams

VCU GAMECENTER

RAMS SET TO WELCOME HOFSTRA TO THE SIEGEL CENTER
VCU looks to tie second-best home-winning streak
1-22-09

RICHMOND, Va. – The Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center opened prior to the 1999-2000 season. Since that time, the Virginia Commonwealth University men’s and women’s basketball teams have combined to post a 206-69, an astounding .749 winning percentage.

This year has been no different for the Black and Gold as the women’s squad is 10-0 to go along with the men’s squad, who sit at 8-0 in games at the Siegel Center. VCU is one of only eight schools in the country to have both the men’s and women’s squad still undefeated at home.

That feat is on the line Thursday evening as the women’s squad host the Pride of Hofstra University in a key Colonial Athletic Association battle.

Head Coach Beth Cunningham is coming off a record-setting 68-45 win over Delaware last Sunday, in which she eclipsed the old school record of 94 all-time wins for a head coach, previously set by her predecessor David Glass.

Two of the biggest reasons for the Rams’ success this season has been the balanced scoring attack and a stifling defense.

VCU has held 13 of its 17 opponents under 60 points and are giving up just 54.5 points per game, the second-best number in the CAA.

The offense is as balanced as it can get with five different players averaging at least 9.4 ppg, with senior Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake, Va.) leading the way with 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds a night.

Junior Kita Waller (Gainesville, Ga.) is coming off her second career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds in the win over Delaware. Her other double-double came last year against Hofstra where she posted 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Fellow junior La’Tavia Rorie (Charlotte, N.C.) has been outstanding at home posting 13.1 ppg and shooting a blistering 50.0% (46-of-92) from the field, compared to a tough 4.1 ppg and 21.7% field-goal percentage on the road.

It will be a battle of the CAA Co-Players of the Week as Hofstra center Jess Fuller shared the award with Hollingsworth after averaging 11.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in the Pride’s two wins last week.

Hofstra enters the contest with a 11-5 overall mark and a 3-2 record in CAA play. It has won 10 of 12 dating back to November 29th.

Game time at the Siegel Center is set for 7 p.m.