Rams defeat Flyers to finish regular season

Final Score: VCU 68, Dayton 62.
Location: UD Arena in Dayton.
Updated Records: VCU 24-7, 15-3 in A-10. Dayton 21-10, 12-6 in A-10.

In a nutshell: In his first year as head coach Phil Martelli guided the VCU Rams men's basketball team to an impressive 24-7 record. At this point VCU is being seen as somewhat likely to receive an at-large invitation to the Big Dance, should the Rams not win the upcoming Atlantic 10 tournament. Yes, somewhat. 

That's life "on the bubble." To get in this position VCU needed to beat the always tough Dayton Flyers twice. Which it did.

Some noteworthy Rams stats: Lazar Djokovic scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds. Coming off the bench Terrence Hill scored 13 points and dished for three assists. Barry Evans chipped in 11 points and six boards. Brandon Jennings scored eight points, got seven rebounds, handed out four assists and made three steals. 

In winning 13 of its last 14 games the surging Rams consistently exhibited a knack for playing well during last minute pressure. That's a trait that should serve them well in postseason play. 

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

·      VCU shot 49 percent (25-of-51) from the floor on the night, including 52 percent (11-of-21) in the second half alone. The Rams held the Flyers to 34 percent (11-of-32) shooting in the second half. Dayton shot just 4-of-22 from 3-point range in the game.

·      Timely shot making down the stretch helped carry the Rams across the finish line. Back-to-back buckets by Bennett and De’Shayne Montgomery pulled Dayton within 62-60 with 3:57 remaining. But on the ensuing possession, Djokovic buried a turnaround hook shot in the lane to give VCU breathing room. The Flyers’ Amael L’Etang answered with a putback a short time later to make it 64-62 with 1:47 left. On VCU’s next trip down the floor, Hill knocked down a fadeaway jumper in the late to keep Dayton at bay. The Flyers missed their final three shots of the game as VCU held on for the win.

·      Javon Bennett led all players in scoring with 17 points for the Flyers.

·      The game featured seven ties and 12 lead changes. The largest lead by either team Friday was six points.

·      The Rams finished 15-3 in A-10 play for the second straight year. VCU has secured the No. 2 seed in next week’s conference tournament.

 

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: At PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, VCU will take on a team yet to be determined in the quarterfinal round of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament. Tipoff at 5 p.m.  

-- 30 --

More improved lies

It appears to me that Trump is falling apart, physically. The stress of the chaos that swirls  around him must be adding up. Moreover, he seems pretty much caught up in a death spiral, writing the last couple of chapters of his wicked history. And, in the doing, he's acting sort of like a coke fiend who always wants more. 

Only instead of a drug, Trump's craving is for the thrill he feels from wielding power. He gets off on bending people to his will. Oh yes, and he especially loves to dish out humiliation. When he cheats at golf rather than moving his ball, to improve his lie -- when nobody is looking -- he does it exactly when his opponent can plainly see him doing it. 

More than just cheating to win, Trump wants to humiliate the witness to his shameless rule-breaking episode. Trump's craving that must be satisfied is to bully a poor soul on the golf course into being too afraid to call him on his crime against fair play. 

Now no longer satisfied with merely intimidating golfers, sycophants and senators, spiraling Trump must humiliate whole nations. Venezuela, Canada, Greenland, Iran, Cuba, etc. Always more. 

More... 

  

Rams defeat Patriots, 70-to-65

Final Score: VCU 70, George Mason 65. 
Location: Siegel Center
Updated Records: VCU 23-7, 14-3 in A-10, George Mason 22-8, 10-7 in A-10.

In a nutshell: VCU trailed in the Senior Night game's opening minutes, then took their first lead about 12 minutes into the game. From then on the Rams led most of the time, but not by all that much. However, in the game's deciding seconds, clutch shots by Lazar Djokovic and Terrence Hill clinched the victory for the Rams. 

VCU fans got quite a scare in the first half when Djokovic stepped on an opponent's foot, rolled his ankle and had to be helped off the floor. It looked bad. Nonetheless, in the second half he shook off the scary injury and returned to action with a slight limp.

Terrence Hill led VCU's scoring with 16 points. He also dished for two assists and made one steal. Jadrian Tracey scored 14 points, grabbed six rebounds and made one assist. Djokovic finished with 12 points and got five boards.

Before the game started, seniors Jadrian Tracey and Barry Evans were cited in the customary ceremony for their contributions to the program. 

  

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

●      The Patriots had a strong start to the contest as they jumped to a 15-7 lead thanks to a Kory Mincy jumper with 15:23 remaining in the first half. Mincy led the Patriots with 18 points and shot 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. 

●      The Rams took their first lead with 8:08 remaining in the first half as a Tyrell Ward 3-pointer gave them a 21-20 advantage.

●      Mason pulled to within 57-54 with seven minutes remaining, but a layup by Belle and a 3-pointer from the right wing by Djokovic supplied the Black and Gold with an eight-point cushion at 62-54 with 5:11 left. The Patriots briefly cut the lead back to five, only to watch Hill bury a 3-pointer with 3:58 remaining. George Mason made one final push, and used a three-point play by Jahari Long to draw to within 68-65 with 58 seconds on the clock. But a short time later, Hill maneuvered into the lane and finished a layup with just nine seconds left.

●      Neither team led by more than eight points as there were three ties and seven lead changes in the matchup.

●      VCU clinches a 15-2 home record for the 2025-26 season, marking their second consecutive season with 15 home wins.

●      The Rams improved to 22-2 when leading at halftime this season and 13-0 in games where they allow fewer than 70 points.

●      VCU is 50-23 all-time against George Mason.

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: On Friday, March 6, VCU's last game of the regular season will be played in Dayton against the Flyers. Tipoff at 7 p.m. TV: ESPN2. 

-- 30 --

VCU defeats Fordham, 82-to-63

Final Score: VCU 82, Fordham 63
Location: Siegel Center
Updated Records: VCU 22-7, 13-3 in A-10. Fordham 16-13, 7-9 in A-10.

In a nutshell: Following its rather disappointing loss on the road at Saint Louis, VCU returned to West Broad Street for Homecoming. The team played well on defense in the first half and then well enough on offense in the second half. Jadrian Tracey and three of his teammates all scored in double figures. 

Tracey scored 15 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists. Barry Evans scored 13 points, got six rebounds made three assists. Lazar Djokovic and Nyk Lewis both scored 11 points and pulled down four rebounds. Brandon Jennings scored eight points, got seven boards, dished out three assists and made three steals. All nine of VCU's players who got in the game scored points.

VCU's restored confidence should have the Rams ready for their two remaining regular season games (George Mason at home and at Dayton).  

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

·      VCU built a 37-22 halftime lead with a stout defensive effort. The Black and Gold held. Fordham to 20 percent (6-of-30) shooting in the first half, including 2-of-11 from beyond the arc.

·      Fordham used a 13-0 burst early in the second period, capped by a 3-pointer by Akira. Jacobs, to cut VCU’s lead to just 43-41 at the 15:28 mark. But VCU steadied itself. Evans. responded with a traditional three-point play on the ensuing possession to kick off a 16-5 VCU run over the next four minutes.

·      VCU’s lead would balloon to as many as 23 points, at 80-57, on a Tracey corner 3-pointer with 3:14 remaining.

·      The Black and Gold shot 48 percent (28-of-58) from the field in the contest, including 38 percent (11-of-29) from 3-point range. Fordham shot just 33 percent (20-of-61) in the game.

·      DeJour Reeves, the Atlantic 10 Conference’s leading scorer, led all players with 22 points and eight assists Saturday.

·      VCU owned a 43-36 rebounding advantage and outscored Fordham 32-20 in the paint.

·      VCU’s win cliched one of the top four seeds, and a double bye, at the upcoming Atlantic 10 Conference Championship.

·      VCU has won 11 straight games over Fordham and is 17-1 all-time in the series.

·      Eight VCU players scored at least seven points Saturday.

 

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: VCU will host George Mason on Tuesday, March 3. Following the Senior Day ceremony tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network. 

-- 30 --

D E T A C H E D: A Walking Song

The name Detached first came to me as what to call a one-off magazine project I thought up during a trip to San Francisco in February of-1981. Spending an hour looking at a bunch of artsy, publications of all sorts on the magazine rack in the famous City Lights Bookstore did the trick.

By In the spring of '81 Detached, the 'zine" was on its way to  becoming a stylish collection of comix-style art created by several friends of mine. It was also to include a flexi-disc, so I was writing music and comedy material for aspect of the scope of Detached. A small group of us rehearsed some of the comedy stuff once or twice.  

Although some good black and white comics were submitted, this was one of those ambitious, far-flung projects that got away from me. It was never produced. 

Yes, I still feel guilty about it. 

Somewhere in a box I may still have a few of the submissions. Fortunately, some of the material and notions for Detached did make their way into a few of the early issues of SLANT .. but that's another story. A meandering story about a quirky periodical that I did publish for some nine years. 

In the spring of 1985, Detached, as a title, was repurposed. It became the name for a song. It was one of many songs I invented during a walk. Sometimes I used to make up songs during the course of solitary walks. The cadence of my steps would serve as the beat. It was a routine practice that started when I was a kid, then went on for decades. 

When I finished the walk I'd almost always forget the new song. Sometimes that was a little frustrating, because I had liked it. Other thoughts hatched during a walk, like solutions to problems, goofy inventions, fun-loving schemes and so forth, would occasionally stick in my head long enough to be written down when I got home. But not the songs.

Anyway, I think I stopped making up walking songs it sometime during my 40s. Hey, it just occurred to me that I also quit torturing my chromatic harmonicas -- mostly with records -- in my 40s, too. Probably not a coincidence.

Most of my walking songs were sort of like dreams that evaporate moments after waking up. However, here are the words to Detached, a song I didn't forget. The tune had kind of a jazzy, South of the Border feel to it.  

D E T A C H E D

I want to thank you pal
for helping out
while I went crazy.

It wasn’t just fun.
Still, it had to be done.

Beauty mark and a ponytail.
Hey!
The check’s in the mail.

De-tached.

When focus wheeled 

the float and sway. 

Life seemed so easy.

It wasn’t just fun.
Still, it had to be done.

Smokey edges of a photograph.

Hey!

We just had to laugh.

De-tached.

*

Now I use Detached as a title for a group of short stories.

-- 30 --

Billikens strong second half overwhelms Rams

Final Score: Saint Louis 88, VCU 75
Location: St. Louis (Chaifetz Arena)
Updated Records: Saint Louis 25-2, 13-1 in A-10. VCU 21-7, 12-3 in A-10), 

 

In a nutshell: VCU started the game with an 11-0 run, fueled by three treys -- one each by Brandon Jennings, Barry Evans and Lazar Djokovic. At halftime the Rams had a nine-point lead, 42-to-33. Then the Billikens opened the second half with a 24-to-4 surge. 

The confidence the Rams exhibited in the first half disappeared in the second stanza. The game ended with a near brawl. 

Lazar Djokovic scored a game-high 19 points. In addition he added seven rebounds and two blocks. Brandon Jennings scored 18 points, grabbed seven boards, made four steals and dished out three assists. Nyk Lewis chipped in nine points, eight rebounds and three steals. 

Djokovic has now connected on 133 shots taken from the charity stripe this season. In the doing he has moved into ninth place on VCU’s single-season record list for free throws made. 

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

 

·      The game was a tale of two halves. VCU led 42-33 at the break, but missed its first 13 three-point attempts of the second half, and shot 23 percent (7-of-31) overall from the floor in the period, as Saint Louis mounted its comeback. The Billikens shot 58 percent (21-of-36) in the second half, including 7-of-12 from beyond the arc.

·      VCU took its last lead at 59-57 on a layup by Jennings with 10:06 remaining. From there, the Billikens used a 13-0 run over the next three minutes that included 3-pointers by Robbie Avila and Ishan Sharma to take a 70-59 lead with 7:23 left. The Rams wouldn’t seriously threaten again.

·      The Rams shot 8-of-15 from three overall in the first half on the way to a nine-point halftime advantage.

·      Kellen Thames led five Billikens in double figures with 16 points. 

·      The Rams were hurt by 16 turnovers, and the Black and Gold shot 33 percent (21-of-64) from the field in the game. 

·      VCU leads the all-time series against Saint Louis 17-8.

·      The Rams saw their 10-game win streak snapped Friday.

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: On  Saturday, February 28, VCU will host Fordham. Tipoff at 12:30 p.m. TV: USA Network. 

-- 30 --

VCU finishes off George Washington, 89-to-75

Final score: VCU 89, George Washington 75. 

Location: Siegel Center. 

Updated records: VCU 21-6, 12-2 in A-10. GW 15-12, 6-8 in A-10. 

In a nutshell: It seemed the George Washington Revolutionaries came to Richmond having convinced themselves that they could run with the talented VCU Rams. For three-fourths of the game it looked like the team from DC might have been right. 

At the 12:27 mark of the second half GW held a nine-point advantage. Then VCU shifted gears and seized the momentum. The sellout (7,637) Siegel Center crowd urged the running Rams on, as they methodically took control of the game, outscoring the visitors -- 33-to-10 -- over the rest of the way. 

Such was the stuff that went into putting together the Rams’ tenth straight victory. 

Some noteworthy VCU game stats: Coming off the bench Tyrell Ward's 15 points led the Rams scoring, plus he made two steals. Lazar Djokovic, Brandon Jennings, and Nyk Lewis all scored 14 points. Jennings also blocked three shots. Terrence Hill scored 13 points and dished for seven assists. Barry Evans scored 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds and made five assists.  

Conference standings-wise VCU is now in second place in the Atlantic 10. With a 12-2 record VCU is one-half game behind Saint Louis, 12-1.  

 .

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

●      The Revolutionaries trailed by two at the half, but stormed to a 65-56 advantage following a steal and layup by Tre Dinkins with 12:27 remaining. From there, the Rams took command, assembling a 25-4 blitz over the next 9:30. Djokovic buried a 3-pointer during VCU’s first salvo to tie the score at 65-65. A short time later, junior forward Michael Belle canned a triple from the left wing to put VCU in front 68-67 with 9:16 left. The Rams would not trail again

●      The Black and Gold held GW to 32-percent (9-of-28) shooting in the second half, including 4-of-15 from beyond the arc.

●      For George Washington, Luke Hunger, the reigning Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week, posted 24 points and 10 rebounds.

●      VCU forced 11 George Washington turnovers in the game and outscored the Revs 15-7 in turnover opportunities

●      The Rams shot 52 percent (26-of-61) from the field on the night and connected on 26-of-35 free throws. 

●      VCU’s 10-game win streak is its longest since the Rams won 12 straight to close out the 2018-19 regular season. 

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: On Friday, February 20, VCU will face (AP No. 18) Saint Louis. Tipoff at 7 p.m. (EST). TV: EPN2. 

-- 30 --

VCU outlasts Richmond, 78-to-67

Final score: VCU 78, Richmond 67.
Location: Robins Center
Updated records: VCU 20-6, 11-2 in A-10. Richmond 14-12, 4-9 in A-10.

In a nutshell: VCU never trailed in the entire game. However, in the second half the Rams spit out 21 points of a 23-point lead. The Spiders suddenly had all of the momentum. 

Then, in the nick of time, VCU's defense stiffened, the Rams hit some clutch shots and they beat their crosstown rival by 11 points. Still, for a few minutes late in the game, VCU fans know damn well it was more than a little scary. 

In making his second start of the season, VCU's Terrence Hill scored a game-high 20 points, including a late trey that blunted the Spiders rally. He also added five rebounds and three assists. 

Some other noteworthy Rams stats: Jadrian Tracey scored 14 points. Nyk Lewis and Tyrell Ward both added 10 points. Michael Belle furnished seven points, 10 rebounds and blocked one shot.

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

·      VCU shot 46 percent (15-of-33) in the first half, while limiting Richmond to 5-of-25 shooting, on the way to a 47-27 halftime lead. The Rams extended their lead to 53-30 on a Tracey 3-pointer with 18:21 remaining.

·      Richmond used an 11-0 run, capped by a Jaden Daughtry layup, to trim the Rams’ advantage to 53-41 at the 15:47 mark, setting the stage for a tight finish. The Spiders eventually pulled within 64-62 on a bucket by AJ Lopez with 6:06 on the clock. While the Rams bent, they did not break. A floater by junior forward Michael Belle on VCU’s ensuing possession provided a four-point cushion. A short time later, Hill buried a 3-pointer from the left wing to give the Black and Gold a 72-65 edge with 1:55 left. UR could get no closer than five the rest of the way.

·      On the night, VCU held Richmond to 35-percent (19-of-55) shooting, including 5-of-22 from 3-point range.

·      The Rams also owned a 41-32 rebounding advantage.

·      Will Johnston led the Spiders with 17 points, including 12 in the second half. 

·      The Rams have won nine straight games.

·      VCU completed a regular season sweep of the Spiders with Saturday’s win and improved to 64-33 all-time against UR. 

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: On Tuesday, February 17, VCU will host George Washington at 8 p.m. at the Siegel Center. TV: CBS Sports Network. 

-- 30 --

Rams defeat La Salle; 77-to-68

Final Score: VCU 77, La Salle 68
Location: Philadelphia (Glaser Arena)
Updated Records: VCU 19-6, 10-2 in A-10. La Salle 7-18, 3-9 in A-10.

in a nutshell: VCU probably played its best game of the season in trouncing Dayton (99-to-73) on February 6th at the Siegel Center, So it was no surprise when there was somewhat of a letdown in the Rams next effort. Given that likelihood, VCU was rather fortunate to escape Philadelphia last night with a win over La Salle. 

Yes, the Rams managed to win their eighth consecutive game, but it wasn't pretty. Without a spectacular performance by Lazar Djokovic, the homestanding Explorers would probably have snapped the Rams winning streak 

Djokovic had himself quite a game. He scored a career-high 26 points, added eight boards and blocked one shot. 

Other noteworthy Rams stats: Nyk Lewis scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to register his second double-double of the season. He also dished out four assists. Jadrian Tracey and Terrence Hill both scored 14 points. Michael Belle blocked four shots and also got seven rebounds.

 

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

·      VCU shot 48 percent (29-of-60) in the contest and held the Explorers to 39 percent (24-of-61) from the floor, including 4-of-19 from 3-point range.

·      Behind Djokovic, the Rams carved out a 40-32 advantage in points in the paint.

·      La Salle used a 10-0 run to briefly take a 31-29 lead with 2:52 left in the first half. But the Black and Gold closed the period on an 8-0 run, six from Djokovic, to take a 37-31 lead into the locker room. VCU would not trail again and would lead by as many as 13 in the second half. The Explorers did manage to cut the Rams’ lead to 71-66 with 2:40 remaining, but Djokovic answered with a bucket and Hill knocked down 4-of-4 free throws down the stretch to keep La Salle at bay.

·      Rob Dockery led La Salle with 17 points.

·      VCU outrebounded La Salle 43-33, and the Rams came up with 16 offensive boards in the game.

·      VCU has won 11 straight games against La Salle, a streak that dates back to the 2015-16 season. The Rams are 15-2 all-time against the Explorers.

·      VCU led for 33:27 of Wednesday’s contest.

 

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: On Saturday, February 14,. VCU will travel six miles to the west to face Richmond. Tipoff will be at 6 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network. 

-- 30 --

VCU destroys Dayton, 99-to-73

Final Score: VCU 99, Dayton 73
Location: Siegel Center
Updated records: VCU 18-6, 9-2 in A-10. Dayton 15-9, 6-5 in A-10.

In a nutshell: Led by Jadrian Tracey's 26 points the VCU Rams smoothly confident offense totally overwhelmed the visiting Dayton Flyers before a sellout crowd (7,637). In the doing, Tracey sank six of his nine attempts from three-point distance. Hey, for most of the game the Rams defense wasn't shabby, either. 

VCU's eyepopping first half performance was probably the best half of basketball it has displayed so far this season. For much of this tilt the running Rams looked very much like a team deserving of an at-large invitation to the Big Dance in March.   

Some noteworthy VCU stats: Tracey also got three rebounds and dished out two assists. Tyrell Ward scored 14 points and grabbed four rebounds. And, Terrence Hill scored his usual 14 points. Lazar Djokovic scored 13 points, pulled down seven rebounds and blocked four shots. And, in points scored off of fast breaks, the running Rams outscored the bewildered Flyers, 30-6. .

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

●      Sophomore guard Brandon Jennings recorded a season-high five steals and became the first Ram with 5+ steals in a game since Max Shulga on Nov. 16, 2024 in a victory over Loyola (Md.).

●      Junior guard Michael Belle led the Rams with eight rebounds and three offensive boards as he also added eight points and two blocks.   

●      For the Flyers, sophomore forward Amael L’Etang recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. 

●      VCU held Dayton to 37 percent (24-of-65) shooting in the contest. The Rams built a 50-27 lead by halftime and led by as many as 35 points on the evening. VCU shot 53 percent (17-of-32) in the first half as it took command. 

●      The Rams shot 31-of-38 from the free throw line while the Flyers were 18-of-30. The 38 free throw attempts are the most by VCU in a game this season. 

●      VCU scored 24 points off 16 Dayton turnovers while the Flyers scored 13 off of 12 Rams turnovers.

●      The Rams held the lead for a total of 37:41 with only one tie and three lead changes in the matchup.

●      VCU’s 26-point win was its largest margin of victory in A-10 play this season.

●      26 points from Tracey was the most scored by a Ram this season and first time a VCU. player scored 25+ points since Phillip Russell scored 25 at Loyola Chicago on Jan. 4, 2025

 

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: On Wednesday, February 11, VCU travels to visit La Salle in Philadelphia. Tipoff will be at 6:30 p.m. TV: ESPN+.

-- 30 --.