VCU 70, Memphis 59: Rams leave S.D. with a 2-1 Record

Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic
Score: VCU 70, Memphis 59
Location: Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sanford Pentagon)
Records: VCU 2-1, Memphis 1-2

 

The story: Junior Vince Williams led three VCU players in double figures with 15 points and the Rams clamped down on defense to topple Memphis 70-59 Friday in the finale of the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic.

 

OPENING TIP

·      Williams knocked down 3-of-5 from beyond the 3-point arc and connected on 6-of-8 free throws

·      Junior guard KeShawn Curry added 14 points and five rebounds, while sophomore guard Bones Hyland scored all 12 of his points in the second half for the Rams

·      VCU freshman point guard Ace Baldwin, playing in just his third collegiate game, provided a steady hand. He contributed three points, six assists, six rebounds and a pair of steals

·      In addition, sophomore forward Hason Ward supplied his best effort of the young season for the Black and Gold with nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots

·      D.J. Jeffries led all scorers with 17 points for Memphis

 

THE DIFFERENCE

·      VCU swamped the Tigers defensively, forcing 19 turnovers that resulted in 25 points. The Rams held Memphis to 35 percent (20-of-57) shooting from the field, including 6-of-23 from 3-point range

·      The Rams extended what had been a 33-29 halftime lead partially on the strength of a 19-15 second-half rebounding advantage. VCU led Memphis on the boards 35-34 overall

·      VCU took a 12-9 lead on a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Tre Clark at the 11:29 mark of the first half and never looked back

·      Memphis drew within five points, at 41-36 on a jumper by Jayden Hardaway with 15:31 remaining, but VCU answered with a 12-1 burst, fueled by a pair of Williams 3-pointers, to take a commanding 52-37 lead with 11:20 left. The Tigers got no closer than eight points the rest of the night

 

NOTABLE

·      VCU led for 32:17 of Friday’s contest

·      Hyland was named to the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic All-Tournament Team

-    Box Score

 

UP NEXT

The Rams will head to State College, Pa. to take on Penn State on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 1.

-- Game notes from Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D