LAIE, Hawaii (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and a decisive third-quarter surge, the Texas A&M women’s basketball team remained undefeated, defeating VCU 78-66 on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at the Cannon Activities Center.

The Aggies, who improved to 4-0, used a 26-point third quarter to break open a contest that was tightly contested through the first half. The Rams, who entered the game with a 3-1 record, saw their season mark even at 3-2.

Texas A&M guard Ny’Ceara Pryor orchestrated the victory with a stellar all-around performance. The 5-foot-3 Baltimore native played 35 minutes, scoring 18 points and dishing out 11 assists. Her playmaking was the catalyst for an Aggies offense that found its rhythm after halftime.

VCU was led by the dynamic scoring of guard Mary-Anna Asare. The 5-foot-7 senior from Pickering, Canada, poured in a game-high 24 points in 35 minutes, keeping the Rams within striking distance for much of the contest.

The game began as a defensive struggle, with both teams forcing numerous turnovers. Texas A&M held a narrow 17-12 lead after the first quarter, but VCU battled back, trailing by only four points, 30-26, at the intermission.

The second half, however, belonged to the Aggies. They exploded for 26 points in the third quarter, outscoring the Rams by 10 to take a commanding 56-42 lead into the final period. Pryor and forward Janae Kent, who finished with 17 points, consistently broke down the VCU defense, creating high-percentage shots.

Texas A&M’s victory was built on dominance on the glass and an aggressive defense that generated extra possessions. The Aggies hauled in 15 offensive rebounds, compared to just four for VCU, leading to numerous second-chance opportunities. Defensively, Texas A&M recorded 15 steals and forced 20 VCU turnovers.

While the shooting percentages were not exceptional for either side, the Aggies’ volume of attempts, fueled by their rebounding and forced turnovers, proved decisive. Texas A&M shot 32 for 74 from the floor, while VCU made 22 of 61 field goal attempts. The Rams were more efficient from the free-throw line, making 17 of 22 attempts, but it was not enough to overcome the Aggies’ advantages elsewhere.

For VCU, forward Tanya Tkachenko, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Berdianski, Ukraine, provided a spark off the bench with 10 points and a block. Teammate Ann Zachariah, a 6-foot-2 freshman from Kerala, India, added 9 points and three blocks, anchoring the Rams’ interior defense.

Texas A&M’s Fatmata Janneh, a 6-foot-1 forward from London, England, contributed 9 points and was active defensively, while reserve Vanessa Saidu added 4 points in just 8 minutes of action.

The game was part of a multi-team event in Hawaii. Texas A&M will continue its trip with games against Texas-Arlington and Colorado. VCU will also face Colorado and Texas-Arlington in its final two games of the event.

With the win, Texas A&M continues its strong start to the season, having previously defeated Kansas State, Tarleton State, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. VCU, which had wins over Howard and Maine and a loss to Villanova prior to this game, will look to rebound in its upcoming contests.