Rams defense crushes Highlanders

Final score: VCU 73, Radford 50.
Location: Siegel Center.
Current records: VCU 2-1. Radford 2-2. 

IN A NUTSHELL: 

With this game's performance the VCU Rams restored hope that they could be a good enough team by January to contend again for the Atlantic 10 regular season title. After playing to a 33-to-33 tie in the first 20 minutes, in the second half VCU's hustling defense shredded Radford's ability to sink baskets. 

At the same time VCU's offense clicked into gear and outscored Radford by 23 points. By the middle of the second 20-minute period the Highlanders' confidence was kaput and the Rams ruled. 

Nelson's 12 points in the first half kept the Rams in the game; coming off the bench he finished with 19 pts. Jackson scored 17 pts., grabbed four rebounds and dished for five assists. Lawal was good for his first career double-double, with 12 pts. and 10 rebounds. 

Coach Odom's bench scored 36 pts. Radford got only four pts. from its bench.

The Rams committed just 10 turnovers, while forcing the Highlanders into 17 TOs. In short, VCU's smothering second half defense was the best we've seen this season ... so far.

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

• Nelson knocked down 7-of-10 attempts from the field in the game, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range.
• Sophomore forward Tobi Lawal recorded his first career double-double  and threw down a pair of thunderous alley-oop dunks.
• Kenyon Giles led Radford with 19 points.
• VCU held Radford to 18 percent (4-of-22) shooting in the second half. The Highlanders misfired on seven of nine 3-point attempts in the half.
• The Rams embarked on a game-changing 15-0 run early in the second half behind its defense. VCU held the Highlanders without a field goal for nearly nine minutes during that stretch. 
• VCU also shot 58 percent (14-of-24) from the field in the second half. 
• VCU knocked down 19-of-26 free throw attempts.
• VCU improved to 8-3 all-time against Radford. 

BOX SCORE

NEXT UP: On Saturday, Nov. 18, VCU will host Seattle at the Siegel Center. Tipoff at 2 p.m. TV on MASN and ESPN+.