The Rams headed to Norfolk a 6-point underdog in the CAA’s biggest rivalry this afternoon. The only thing at stake for the Black-and-Gold? Weeks worth of bragging rights and control of first place in the CAA.

VCU started the game by out ODUing ODU, winning the battle on the glass in the first half and jumping out to a 31-27 lead. While ODU threatened midway through the second, VCU continued to hit big shot after big shot, eventually icing the game at the line for a 59-50 win, VCU’s 15th of the season and 6th straight.

Chris Cooper’s layup with 6:50 to play gave the Monarchs a 46-45 lead and brought ODU faithful to their feet. A minute later Ed Nixon hit one of his many floaters on the evening, followed by a Bradford Burgess 3-pointer that extended the lead to four.

ODU kept the game within a 2-point arms reach until senior Joey Rodriguez nailed a deep 3 with 1:56 left to play, extending the lead to five.

Two missed Kent Bazemore threes later and an Ed Nixon rebound sent the Rams to the line where they extended their lead to 7, and eventually the 9-point difference that ended the game.

Bradford Burgess lead all players with 15 points on the evening.

The Rams defense held all Monarch to single digit scoring in their second lowest point total of the season.

Jamie Skeen lead all players with 10 rebounds, and contributed 14 points for the Rams, good for his 5th double-double of the season. Skeen matched Joey Rodriguez’s team high 5 assists in a game that saw him double teamed on a consistent basis.

Rodriguez added 9 points in the effort and a game high 3 steals for the Rams.

Ed Nixon rounded out VCU’s double-digit scorers with 13 points on the evening. The senior guard known for his lock down defense saw 31 minutes of play without committing a foul.

VCU moves to 15-5 on the season and gets just a days rest before heading back on the road to face the 4-13 Towson Tigers in a rare Monday tip.

The Rams then have just a couple of days rest before heading back to the Siegel Center to face a Hofstra team currently tied with VCU at 7-1 in CAA play.

The Rams were looking to exact revenge against conference foes, Georgia State Panthers, on Wednesday night at the Stu. Last time they met, down in Atlanta, the cold weather wasn’t very welcoming for the Rams, losing 76-66.

Since that loss the Rams have won four straight including a big win over Northeastern at home, giving them a three way tie for first place in the CAA (JMU & Hofstra).

This time time the Rams would get the better of the Panthers 71-54. With help from a fresh but familiar face.
Freshman stand out Rob Brandenberg got things going early for the Rams, dropping 16 of his career high, 23 points in the first half. The Rams continued to get consistent buckets from senior Jamie Skeen with 15 points and 7 rebounds.

The difference this time around was stopping Eric Buckner for the Panthers. In the last meeting Buckner dropped 26 points on the Rams, this time he only chalked up 6 points.

The win against the Panthers along with a JMU loss to ODU and a Hofstra win over UNCW, puts the Rams and Hofstra tied at the top of the CAA for first place.

The Rams will travel to Norfolk on Saturday to face ODU. The Rams have lost the last two trips down to Norfolk.

Northeastern is the only team to beat the Rams at the Siegel Center in the past three seasons. The Rams would not let it happen again.

This Northeastern Huskies squad looks a little different than in years past after losing Matt Janning and Manny Adako. Northeastern did return Chaison Allen who scored 16 points in the match up but was not enough to defeat the Rams, 73-64.

The name of the afternoon would be Bradford Burgess. Midlothian’s own had a stellar first half scoring 18 of the Rams 30 points and would end with 26 points and 9 rebounds.

Senior Jaime Skeen also helped out the Rams. Skeen was just three boards shy of grabbing another double-double with 18 points and 7 rebounds. The Rams had another good performance on the glass out rebounding their opponent 28 to 19.

The Huskies would not back down in the second half cutting the lead to two points at one time. But it was the Rams turn to pick up the pace. VCU’s defense was key in the matchup in containing the Huskies. The Rams forced 14 turnovers in the game and limited their turnovers to just 11.

The win moves the Rams to 5-1 in CAA play and 13-5 overall. The Rams will try to exact revenge this Wednesday at the Stu as they host Georgia State.

After the Rams first loss to Georgia State in the match ups history, they weren’t trying to experience another first, losing at home for the first time since being defeated by Northeastern last year.

The Drexel Dragons had other things in mind. After upsetting an undefeated Louisville squad, the Dragons were looking to knock off the Rams to continue their conference play but the Rams wouldn’t allow that to happen at home defeating the Dragons, 52-48.

Despite a great night from Drexel’s Chris Fouch, 14 points (leading all scorers) the Rams weren’t about to drop two straight conference games. Senior Brandon Rozzell and Junior Bradford Burgess were the only Rams to find themselves in double digits on the scoring column with 11.

One of the main story lines of the game tonight was turnovers. In the second half the Rams implemented Coach Smart’s self-glossed style of play, “Wreaking Havoc”. The Rams forced 23 turnovers in the contest, while only turning it over 8 times themselves.

The person that cost the game for the Dragons wasn’t even wearing a jersey. Coach Bruiser Flint picked up two quick technicals in the final 10 seconds that put Senior Joey Rodriguez at the line to sink all 4 free throws to clinch the game for the Rams.

Tonight’s match up also was the first career start for true freshman, Juvonte Reddic who ended the night with 8 points and 2 rebounds in 14
minutes.

The Rams travel down to Wilmington on January 8th for the 3rd conference game in a week and will be televised on The Comcast Network at 7pm.