Rams learn in loss

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Everyone in the VCU dressing room agreed: The Rams' first appearance in the NCAA tournament, while disappointing, was a priceless learning experience.

VCU's players said the atmosphere in which yesterday's 57-51 loss to Rutgers occurred was nearly as formidable an opponent as the Scarlet Knights themselves. The contest was played in Rutgers' home arena before a fervent crowd of nearly 4,000.

"I was nervous from the get-go," said Jennifer Lane, the Rams' freshman point guard. "There was an adrenaline rush, definitely, when I went out there [for the opening tip]. Just looking around and seeing the lights and all the people and hearing the noise - it was exciting and maybe a little surreal. It took me a little while before I was able to calm down and do the things I'm supposed to do."

VCU's veterans were as vulnerable as its youngsters.

"I was brought up not to worry about the atmosphere or the surroundings," said Rams junior forward Kita Waller. "I've always been taught that the only thing you worry about is your teammates: How can you help them? How can you make things easier for them?"

Then she shook her head.

"But I'll admit: The atmosphere in here today? I've never seen anything like it."

So noisy was the arena, said Rams post player Quanitra Hollingsworth, that "sometimes we had to communicate without talking because we couldn't hear each other. That's the kind of thing you really can't prepare for. It's a little thing, but it's the sort of thing that gives [an experienced team] an edge in a game like this."

Lane agreed: "Oh, yeah. Yeah. Definitely. Having been through it once will help us a lot when we get another chance."

The Rams believe that chance won't be long in coming. Waller said the Rams' stirring second-half comeback - they pared an 18-point deficit to six - supplies a solid foundation upon which to build for the future.

"We fought back. We never quit. We stayed together," she said. "That's the big thing - we stayed together."

She said she will carry conviction and a bit of regret into the offseason.

Conviction: "It's all about defense and rebounding," she said. "That's what got us here. Why should we change now?"

Regret: "It was a great season, but you know what? It went by so fast. I can't believe we're done."