Rams Trample Peacocks

Final score: VCU 78, Saint Peter's  61.

Location: Siegel Center

Updated records: VCU 2-1. Saint Peter's 1-2. 

 

In a nutshell: VCU Head Coach Phil Martelli played 10 men and five of them scored in double figures. However, the most obvious difference in the two teams' final scores stemmed from the bench points margin: VCU 36 pts.-to-St. Peter's 18 pts.

 

Noteworthy VCU stats: Tyrell Ward 15 pts., 3 rebounds. Terrence Hill 13 pts., Barry Evans 11 pts., 8 rebounds, 4 assists. Lazar Djokovic 11 pts., 5 rebounds, 1 assist. Jadrian Tracey 11 pts., 4 rebounds, 3 assists.

At the 13:14 mark, Hill sank a trey and VCU took a 16-to-13 lead. The Rams never trailed after that. In all, VCU led for over 35 minutes of the contest. The Rams' superior athleticism and deep bench served them well. 

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

●      Senior guard Jadrian Tracey delivered another steady performance for the Rams, finishing with 11 points, including 2-of-4 from deep and 5-of-6 at the line, while adding four rebounds and four assists.

●      Ward connected on 5-of-11 from the field, as well as 3-for-3 from the free throw line. He grabbed three rebounds.

●      Senior forward Barry Evans delivered an 11-point, eight-rebound, four-assists effort for the Black and Gold, while junior forward Lazar Djokovic supplied 11 points, five rebounds and four blocks in 30 minutes of action.

●      Brent Bland led all players with 25 points for the Peacocks.

●      VCU shot 48 percent (11-of-23) in the first half on the way to a 41-32 lead. The Rams opened the second half on a 10-2 run, highlighted by a Djokovic dunk and a 3-pointer from the right corner by sophomore guard Ahmad Nowell to stretch their lead to 51-34 with 16:02 remaining.

●      The Rams held Saint Peter’s to 31 percent (19-of-61) shooting in the contest, including 6-of-24 from 3-point range. Bland finished 8-of-16 from the field, while the rest of the Peacocks were a combined 11-of-45 (24 percent).

●      After a back-and-forth opening stretch that saw the game tied 13-13, the Rams went on a 20-6 run, capped by an Evans fast-break layup, to build a 33-19 lead with 8:12 left in the first half

●      Saint Peter’s closed the gap to 64-55 with 6:44 to play, but VCU responded immediately with five straight points from Evans and Ward to push the margin back to 69-55 at the 6:22 mark. 

●      VCU forced 14 Saint Peter’s turnovers and blocked five shots.

●      The Rams led for 35:29 Wednesday night.

●      VCU shot 35 free throws in the contest, connecting on 26 (74 percent).

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: VCU visits N.C. State on Monday, Nov. 17. Tipoff at 7 p.m.. The game will air on the ACC Network, with radio coverage on WRNL 910 AM

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