Rams Strong Second Half Overwhelms Hawks

Final Score: VCU 70, Saint Joseph’s 54

Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Current Records: VCU 11-6, 4-2 A-10. Saint Joseph’s 8-9, 2-4 in A-10.
 
Vince Williams, Jr. set the pace for VCU's second half dominance; the senior forward's 21 points tied his career-high. On defense the pesky Rams forced the Hawks into committing 27 turnovers and gradually just wore them down. In the final minutes of the game, as VCU was lengthening its lead, the St. Joe's players gave the appearance of being tired. 

 

The info below was supplied by Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D.

OPENING TIP

• Williams also corralled seven rebounds and connected on 7-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-7 from 3-point range. Williams is 8-of-14 from 3-point range in across his last two games
• Sophomore guard Ace Baldwin Jr. grabbed a career-high seven steals while scoring 11 points along with six assists and five rebounds
• Senior guard KeShawn Curry was the third Ram in double figures at 12 points while adding five rebounds and two assists

 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU led 27-13 in points off turnovers, forcing Saint Joseph’s into 27. The turnovers allowed the Rams to lead the Hawks 18-2 in fast break points
• The Rams outscored the Hawks 38-14 in points in the paint and led 14-6 in second chance points
• VCU led Saint Joseph’s 53-48 with 6:49 remaining before graduate forward Levi Stockard III scored off a turnover and jumpstarted a 17-6 run to close the game
• The Black and Gold limited Saint Joseph’s to shoot just 28.6 percent in the first half but trailed 25-24 at the half. The Hawks were able to shoot 10-of-10 at the free throw line in the first half
• VCU started the second half on an 8-0 run and led 32-25 after a Curry dunk with 18:45 remaining. The Hawks responded with a quick 7-2 run to cut the Rams’ lead to 34-32 with 16:52 left
• The Rams were slow to pull away from Saint Joseph’s until the Hawks turned the ball over with 6:28 left and Stockard III’s layup allowed VCU to go on the 17-6 run
  

 

NOTABLE

• Treveon Graham became the sixth Ram to have his jersey retired in a pregame ceremony. Graham is VCU’s second all-time leading scorer and led VCU to four NCAA Tournament appearances
• The 27 Saint Joseph’s turnovers were the most VCU has forced this season
• VCU shot a season-high 46.2 percent from 3-point range, going 6-of-13 from behind the arc

 

NEXT UP

The Rams will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 26 when they face Davidson at Belk Arena. Tip-off for that contest is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

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