Season Opener: VCU Crushes Wagner

Final Score: VCU 103, Wagner 74.
Location: Siegel Center

Updated Records: VCU 1-0, Wagner 0-1

In a nutshell: VCU and Wagner seemed evenly matched for most of the first half. Then in the last few minutes the Rams began to pull away. At halftime VCU led by 11 points: 51-to-40. 

The second stanza was a different story, as the home team's offense poured in 52 points, while its defense allowed only 24 points. Six Rams scored in double figures. 

Praiseworthy Rams stats: Djokovic 21 pts, 5 rebounds. Hill 17 pts., 2 boards, 5 assists. Jennings 15 pts., 8 rebounds, 6 assists.

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

●      In his VCU debut, Djokovic, a transfer from Charleston, connected on 7-of-10 attempts from the floor, including several thunderous dunks and 2-of-3 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. He also corralled five rebounds and blocked two shots in 20 minutes of action

●      Sophomore Brandon Jennings added a career-high 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Richmond native shot 6-of-9 from the floor and made the only 3-pointer he attempted

●      Sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr. buried 4-of-8 three-point attempts and scored a career-high 17 points in just 20 minutes

●      Junior Michael Belle added 12 points, while freshman point guard Nyk Lewis kicked in 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in his collegiate debut. Senior guard Jadrian Tracey also supplied 13 points and five rebounds for the Black and Gold

●      Sam Smith paced the Wagner attack with 16 points 

●      After remaining neck-and-neck with the Seahawks for much of the first half, the Rams went on a 10-1 run to take a 41-33 lead with 2:08 left in the first half

●      Early in the second half, the Rams went on a 14-0 run to extend their lead to 85-60. The run was capped off by a fast break dunk by Jennings off of a Seahawks turnover

●      The Rams outscored the Seahawks 52-34 in the second half with Djokovic leading the way with 13 points in the frame

●      The Rams were playing their first game under the leadership of Phil Martelli Jr., who led Bryant to the NCAA Tournament last season

●      VCU scored 100+ points against a Division I opponent for the first time since Nov. 20, 2014, when they defeated UMES 106-66

●      Six Rams scored in double figures for the first time since Dec. 10, 2023 against Alcorn State

●      The Rams shined defensively with nine blocked shots and 10 steals

 

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: On Friday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. (EST).VCU will face the Utah St. Aggies in Frisco, Texas. That game will stream live on the Urban Edge Network. 

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