After losing to the Patriots of George Mason in regular season play, the Rams were determined to force a different outcome. Brandon Rozzell, guard, made sure that the Rams didn’t slip by hitting 4 huge three pointers in the 2nd half to carry the Rams against GMU.

Looking to lead the season series over the ODU Monarchs, the Rams came out looking tough against the regular season champs. The Rams pulled ahead by 12 at one point but losing a large lead has been the Rams “M.O.” this season as they were dropped by the Monarchs in Sunday’s Semifinal.

VCU maintained a lead for most of the 2nd half with strong play from guard, Bradford Burgess. Rebounding, or lack thereof, is the difference maker tonight with ODU winning the battle of the glass, 34-22.

With this win, the Monarchs locked up the regular season championship. Next week, the CAA Tournament in Richmond.

Tonight was a big game…for many reasons. It marked a rematch against JMU after losing in Harrisonburg earlier this month, it marked Coach Smart’s 20th win of his first season, it kept the hope of 4th seed for the CAA Tournament alive. Most importantly, it marked the last time Kirill Pishchalnikov and TJ Gwynn would take stage at the Stu.

This win also set Gwynn as the all time winning-est Ram. After an emotional senior celebration for the two, the Rams, led by Joey Rodriguez, went on a tear right out the gate. Rodriguez scored the Rams first 8 points of the night and ended up with 24 overall.

The Rams defeated the Dukes, 76-62 and head into Norfolk on Saturday to face rivals, ODU, to keep knocking away at the 4th seed.

In a match up that put former pupil against his mentor, Coach Smart and the Rams were determined to have a full defensive effort for 40 minutes. The Rams forced the Zips to shoot a meager 21-66 from the field. The Rams also received great help from back up point guard, Darius Theus, who went 3-3 from the field ending with 10 points.

The Rams will have a rematch against the Dukes of JMU this Wednesday at the Stu, 7:30pm.

VCU manages to do what they have failed to do in their previous two games, keep a halftime lead. The Rams were determined to not let this one slip away.

Led by Forward, Larry Sanders and his 29 points, the Rams went on a scoring and defensive tear before the end of the first half that was closed out by a three pointer by Joey Rodriguez before the buzzer.

The Rams needed this win in hopes to claim the 4th seed going into the CAA Tournament, March 5th.

In a meeting that will match up teacher and former pupil, the Rams host the Akron Zips on Saturday as part of ESPN’s BracketBuster challenge, where Shaka Smart spent a few years as an assistant to Zips coach, Keith Dambrot.

VCU Unleashes Top Secret Russian Weapon

Pishchalnikov scored 6 of the Rams first 8 points to start the game and ended with 14 points and 5 rebounds on the night in his 21 minute effort.

“Kirill’s just a real hard worker”, said Larry Sanders. “I knew he was gonna be ready, I think we all have an unbelievable amount of faith in each other…I have so much faith in him and he went out there and proved me right”.

Sanders had a game of his own off the bench posting yet another double double to the tune of 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The Rams have another big conference game at George Mason on Tuesday Feb., 9th.

The Rams bench almost beat the Tigers alone adding 50 points while the Rams connected on twenty 3 pointers. This match up also saw the return of Jay Gavin to the court where he hit some late 3 pointers.

The Rams take on Georgia State this Saturday at the Stu.

The Rams started strong and can cross William and Mary off the list. Joey Rodriguez led the Rams on the court with his first career double double with 18 points and 10 assists. Hometown favorite, Brandon Rozzell lit it up from the behind the arc when the Rams needed it most.

Check out the highlights and catch two very special guests.

The Rams look to fulfill the rest of Payback Week with a win in Boston against Northeastern on Saturday.