Location: Siegel Center in Richmond.
Records: VCU 6-2, ECSU 4-3.
In the nutshell: A sellout crowd (7,637) looked on as Joey Rodriguez's No. 12 jersey was retired in a ceremony just prior to tipoff. Among his noteworthy stats, Rodriguez ranks third all-time in VCU basketball history in assists and steals.
The game that followed was sort of hard to watch, at times, as the visiting team was just so outmanned. At least the Rams' bench personnel got to play a lot. And, that's the best thing I can say about what was such a mismatch.
NOTES: (Information provided by Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D.)
· Rodriguez, who starred at VCU from 2007-11 and led the team to the 2011 Final Four, saw his No. 12 jersey retired in a pregame ceremony. Rodriguez scored more than 1,300 points as a Ram.
· Graduate guard Phillip Russell led all scorers with 18 points for the Rams. He connected on 4-of-9 from beyond the 3-point arc in just 18 minutes of play.
· Freshman guard Terrence Hill Jr. supplied a season-high 16 points – all in the second half - for the Black and Gold.
· The Rams also received 14 points and three assists from graduate guard Zeb Jackson
· Reggie Raynor led ECSU with 11 points.
· VCU held the Vikings to just 31 percent (19-of-61) shooting in the game, including 3-of-15 from 3-point range.
· The Rams shot 55 percent (16-of-29) in the first half on the way to a 49-26 lead.
· VCU outscored ECSU 40-14 in the paint and 20-10 off turnovers.
· The Rams forced 17 turnovers and outrebounded the Vikings 51-34.
· VCU Head Coach Ryan Odom picked up his 200th career win Friday. He is 200-122 in 10 seasons as a head coach, including 30-16 with the Rams.
· The Rams’ bench scored 51 points Friday.
BOXSCORE
NEXT UP: VCU will host Georgia Southern on Wed., Dec. 4. Tipoff will be at 7 p.m. TV: MASN and ESPN+.
