VCU women's basketball routs Central Connecticut 67-43 in season opener

VCU opened its women's basketball season with a 67-43 win over Central Connecticut on Tuesday night at the Siegel Center. The Rams are 1-0. The Blue Devils fell to 0-1.

Macy Spencer led VCU with 22 points, making five of her 12 three-point attempts. Cyriah Griffin came off the bench for 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 4-of-4 at the free throw line. Ann Zachariah and Ada Toribio Saez each scored 12. Zachariah grabbed 10 rebounds and made six of her eight shots, and Toribio Saez had a team-high four assists in 40 minutes.

Turnovers fuel the Rams

VCU's defense created the separation. The Rams had 15 steals and forced 24 Central Connecticut turnovers, turning them into 27 points. VCU also scored 24 fast-break points to the Blue Devils' two. Nicole Toresani had five steals, and Toribio Saez and Griffin each had three. Toresani also had two blocks, as did Spencer, and the Rams finished with five blocks.

The Rams scored 36 points in the paint to Central Connecticut's 22. They shot 24-of-53 from the field (45 percent) and 13-of-18 at the line. The Blue Devils shot 18-of-56 (32 percent) and made four of 22 three-pointers.

VCU committed 18 turnovers of its own, and was whistled for 11 fouls to the Blue Devils' 18.

How the game unfolded

The Rams led 20-13 after the first quarter and 32-22 at halftime. Central Connecticut won the third quarter 16-14, so the margin at the end of three was 46-38. VCU then outscored the Blue Devils 21-5 in the fourth. The Rams' largest lead was 24, and Central Connecticut's was two. VCU led for 96 percent of the game.

Blue Devils

Jill Dingler had 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists for Central Connecticut, shooting 8-of-20. No other Blue Devil scored more than six; Nyasia McKelvey and Vanyah Otey each had six. Central Connecticut had 11 offensive rebounds but committed 24 turnovers. Jessica Farrell and Na-Kyah Williams each had five.

Attendance was 412.

VCU's next game is at home against Virginia Tech on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET.