Location: Ryan Center in Kingston, R.I.
Updated Records: VCU 15-4, 5-1 in A-10. Rhode Island 14-5, 3-4 in A-10.
In a nutshell: In winning it fifth consecutive tilt, VCU probably played its most complete game of the season. That convincing victory came on the road facing a tough team with a then-14-4 record. VCU head coach Ryan Odom's Rams appeared to be a well-coached, confident outfit.
Now, with over half of the season in the rearview mirror, two particular questions are looming: with the players' roles pretty much set, how many more such "complete games" at both ends of the floor can the Rams play? Moreover, has Odom's surging VCU team peaked, or can it get even better? (Hint: take a look at freshman Luke Bamgboye's statistic line below.)
Ram stats: Joe Bamisile scored a game-high 24 points. He converted 10-of-18 attempts from the floor. And, he grabbed three rebounds. Max Shulga scored 15 points, got three boards and a block. Jack Clark scored 12 points. Zeb Jackson added his 11 points. And, Bamgboye scored six points, snatched nine rebounds, made four steals and blocked three shots.
The game's best stat: VCU's defense forced 27 turnovers. So far, that's the most by any A-10 team this season.
By the way, did I mention the surging VCU Rams have won five straight games?
· VCU held Rhody to 39 percent (19-of-49) shooting in the game, including 30 percent (7-of-30) in the second half.
· The Black and Gold’s lead was 42-40 with 13:38 remaining, but VCU outscored Rhode Island 39-17 the rest of the way. Shulga buried a 3-pointer and Bamisile connected on back-to-back floaters in the lane to help push VCU’s advantage to 55-43 with 10:35 left. A short time later, a Shulga traditional three-point play helped ignite a 15-0 VCU run that pushed the margin into blowout territory at 71-48 with 5:11 on the clock.
· VCU built an 18-point first-half lead, but watched as Thomas fueled a 19-2 Rhode Island run that closed the host Rams to within 35-34 with 1:44 remaining in the half. But VCU steadied the ship with a pair of Bamisile free throws and an authoritative drive and slam dunk by Jackson on the last play of the period to take a 40-34 lead into the break.
· VCU redshirt sophomore forward Obi Okafor scored his first collegiate points on a pair of free throws with 51 seconds left.
· Sebastian Thomas led Rhode Island with 19 points.
· VCU has won five straight against Rhode Island and leads the all-time series 12-11.
BOXSCORE
NEXT UP: VCU will host St. Bonaventure on Fri., Jan. 24. Tipoff for this payback game is at 9 p.m.
NOTES (Information provided by Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D.)
· VCU held Rhody to 39 percent (19-of-49) shooting in the game, including 30 percent (7-of-30) in the second half.
· The Black and Gold’s lead was 42-40 with 13:38 remaining, but VCU outscored Rhode Island 39-17 the rest of the way. Shulga buried a 3-pointer and Bamisile connected on back-to-back floaters in the lane to help push VCU’s advantage to 55-43 with 10:35 left. A short time later, a Shulga traditional three-point play helped ignite a 15-0 VCU run that pushed the margin into blowout territory at 71-48 with 5:11 on the clock.
· VCU built an 18-point first-half lead, but watched as Thomas fueled a 19-2 Rhode Island run that closed the host Rams to within 35-34 with 1:44 remaining in the half. But VCU steadied the ship with a pair of Bamisile free throws and an authoritative drive and slam dunk by Jackson on the last play of the period to take a 40-34 lead into the break.
· VCU redshirt sophomore forward Obi Okafor scored his first collegiate points on a pair of free throws with 51 seconds left.
· Sebastian Thomas led Rhode Island with 19 points.
· VCU has won five straight against Rhode Island and leads the all-time series 12-11.
BOXSCORE
NEXT UP: VCU will host St. Bonaventure on Fri., Jan. 24. Tipoff for this payback game is at 9 p.m.
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