Rams stiff-arm Spiders late rally

Final Score: VCU 77, Richmond 69.
Location: Siegel Center
Updated Records: VCU 15-6, 6-2 in A-10. Richmond 13-9, 3-6 in A-10. 

In a nutshell:  VCU never trailed in this contest pitting crosstown rivals. In spite of all the snow and ice a sellout crowd (7,637) braved the frigid temperatures to see the Rams establish an early lead and benefit from a double-figures working margin for most of the game.  

However, in the closing minutes of the second stanza, VCU's offense grew cold and Richmond closed to within four points. Nonetheless, in the last minute of the game the Rams fended off the Spiders rally to win by eight [points and move into third place in the A-10 standings. 

Some noteworthy Rams stats: For the ninth time this season, VCU had at least five players score in double-figures. Lazar Djokovic contributed 14 points and got three rebounds. Terrence Hill scored 14 points and grabbed three boards. Brandon Jennings pitched in 12 points. Nyk Lewis scored 11 points and snatched five rebounds, Jadrian Tracey also scored 11 points.  

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

 

●      VCU controlled much of the first half and Ahmad Nowell buried a step-back 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer to stake the Rams to a 39-29 lead at the break.

●      Despite only 18 field goal attempts in the second half, VCU shot 19-of-24 from the free throw line in the period. For the game, VCU shot 82 percent (22-for-27) from the charity stripe.

●      The Spiders cut the Rams lead to four points with 1:06 remaining thanks to a layup from Aiden Argabright. The Rams responded with a Hill Jr. pullup jumper and a defensive stop to ice the win.

●      For the Spiders, senior guard AJ Lopez led the way with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting..

●      The Rams led for 39:35 Tuesday and never trailed.

●      VCU shot 38 percent (9-of-24) from 3-point range, while holding the Spiders, one of the nation’s top long-range shooting teams, to a 5-of-15 night from beyond the arc.. 

●      The victory marks the fourth straight win for VCU overall, and its third straight over Richmond. The Rams have won nine of the last 11 matchups against the Spiders.

 

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: VCU hosts Loyola Chicago on January. 30. Tipoff at 9 p.m. TV: ESPN2.

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