VCU routs Mason

Final score: VCU 72, Mason 52. 

Location: Siegel Center in Richmond

Current records: VCU 16-5, 7-1 in A-10. Mason 12-9, 4-4 in A-10

In a nutshell: VCU used a balanced attack on offense and a constantly swarming defense to win easily before its home crowd. Mason was never really in this game, as VCU seized control early and never let go of it. The Rams led by 16 points at the half and coasted confidently through the second half.

VCU seems to be improving with each game of its six-game winning streak. Once again, the Rams bench was a significant factor; it scored 29 points, while the Patriots bench contributed only six points. VCU grabbed 35 rebounds to Mason's 24. 

Rams Stats: David Shriver with 13 pts., two reb. Jayden Nunn with 12 pts., three reb., two assists. Brandon Johns with 11 pts., seven reb. Ace Baldwin with nine pts., nine reb., seven assists. Jamir Watkins with nine pts., six reb., 3 assists.

NOTES (Info provided by Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D.)

• Shriver continued his red-hot shooting in conference play, going 3-of-5 from the beyond the arc. Shriver has shot 58.5 percent (24-of-41) from three-point land in eight A-10 contests.
• Nunn’s 12 points came on 4-of-9 from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from the free throw line.
• After Mason got out to a quick 4-0 lead, VCU responded with a 12-3 scoring run over 2:12 that started with a Baldwin jump shot and capped off by a Nunn 3-pointer at the 14:59 mark of the first half.
• VCU closed out the first half with a 9-3 run over the final 3:39, with three points from  Watkins, two points from Nunn, and four points from Johns to take a 39-23 lead into the locker room. 
• The Patriots got as close as 10 in the second half with a layup from Josh Oduro at the 15:31 mark, but Mason could get no closer as the Rams kept them at bay. 
• Oduro led the Patriots’ charge with 19 points on 8-of-11 from the field.
• VCU now improves to 46-22 overall against Mason. 
  

BOX SCORE

NEXT UP

• The Rams will host St. Bonaventure on Saturday, Jan. 28. Tipoff at the Siegel Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

-- 30 --