Rams Pluck Purple Eagles: 84-to-58

Final Score: VCU 84, Niagara 58
Location: Siegel Center
Updated Records: VCU 7-4, Niagara 2-9

In a nutshell: Most of all, the Rams needed to shake off any lingering ill effects of their December 10th home court loss to New Mexico (81-to-78). So the second half of Monday night's game against Niagara was just what VCU's team needed. After playing a rather lackluster first half, Rams up by three points, Coach Phil Martelli's team flipped a switch and seized control of the proceedings.

As the Rams confidence grew, they suddenly seemed a step quicker. They became more aggressive at both ends of the floor. And, in the doing, maybe we saw the unveiling of two new stars. At several points, just when the team needed a good play to be made, either junior Michael Belle or freshman Nyk Lewis stepped up. As VCU's lead steadily increased that duo continued to provide fresh leadership.  

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Some noteworthy stats: Lazar Djokovic scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds. He sank all 11 of his free throws. He also blocked four shots. Belle scored 15 points and he made good on all four of his attempts from beyond the 3-point line. Freshman Nyk Lewis recorded his career-first double-double with 12 points and 12 boards. VCU's bench outscored Niagara's bench by 22 points.

 

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

●      VCU sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr. added 14 points with three assists and a steal.

●      Senior forward Barry Evans rounded out VCU’s double-digit scorers with 10 points..

●      Sophomore guard Landon Williams led the Purple Eagles with 17 points and three 3-pointers. 

●      VCU knocked down a season-high 16 three-pointers on 33 attempts (49 percent). The Rams also the Purple Eagles to a 25 percent  clip (5-of-20). Niagara was 0-of-7 from three in the second half.

●      The Purple Eagles remained neck-and-neck with the Rams throughout the first half, entering halftime down 37-34 and tying the game at 40 with 18:13 remaining. However, VCU took control of the game for good thanks to an 11-0 run to give them a 67-48 lead with 5:42 remaining.

●      VCU commanded the glass as they recorded nine blocked shots compared to Niagara’s one. Djokovic led the way with four and Belle added two of his own.

●      The Rams took advantage of Purple Eagles miscues as they scored 16 points off of turnovers.

●      The 16 made 3-pointers set a new season-high mark for the Rams. The previous high was 14 in their opening night victory over Wagner. 

●      Belle had the first perfect performance from the field this season for a Ram with at least five field goal attempts. The last time VCU had such a performance was on Nov. 4, 2024 when Max Shulga went 6-of-6 from the field in a victory over Bellarmine.

●      Djokovic became the seventh Ram in school history to connect on at least 10 free throw attempts without a miss in a game and the first since Max Shulga finished 10-of-10 against Temple on Dec. 10, 2023.

BOXSCORE

 

Up Next: VCU will host  American on Thursday, December 18. Tipoff at 7 p.m.TV: MASN or ESPN+

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