RICHMOND, Va. - A buzzer-beating three-pointer failed to connect for the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team as the Hawks fell at VCU, 56-54, on Wednesday evening.

In a back-and-forth final quarter, the Rams held a 56-54 edge with the ball and 37 seconds to play. Electing to play defense, the Hawks (10-11, 5-4 Atlantic 10) got a turnover with nine seconds to play and advanced the ball to halfcourt with a timeout.

Out of the timeout, Saint Joseph's worked the clock down as junior Alyssa Monaghan pulled up for a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, only to have it miss its mark.

In a game that featured 13 lead changes and six ties, the Hawks battled back from down 44-36 to take a 47-46 lead in the early fourth quarter on a layup by Amanda Fioravanti with 8:34 to go.

Neither team would lead by more than one point until a pair of free throws by Tera Reed put VCU ahead 56-53 with 39 seconds left.

On the ensuing play, junior Kristalyn Baisden was fouled and made one of two free throws to bring SJU to within 56-54.

Saint Joseph's would get the key stop they needed, but couldn't connect in the final seconds for the win.

For the game, the Hawks shot 39.6 percent from the field (21-of-53), 26.7 percent from behind the arc (4-of-15) and 61.5 percent from the foul line (8-of-13).

Monaghan finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists, while senior Adashia Franklyn added 14 points, four rebounds and three blocked shots. Fioravanti was the third Hawk in double figures with 12 points and had a game-high nine rebounds.

At the other end, VCU hit 20-of-50 from the field, 2-of-8 from behind the arc and 14-of-16 from the foul line. Reed led all scorers with 18 points, including 10-of-10 from the foul line.

The Hawks return to action on Sunday when they host George Mason at 4 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network.

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