VCU welcomed Cal U (PA) back to the Siegel Center for their third consecutive exhibition opener and once again sent the Vulcans home in a blowout loss, this year defeating Bill Brown’s squad 96-60.
After a somewhat choppy start, VCU took a 13-point lead into the half thanks to 12 first half points from junior Jordan Burgess, then eventually really opened the game up thanks to a hot second half hand from Melvin Johnson to make this one an official blowout.
Johnson scored 17 of his game-high 21 points in the second half, connecting on three of his five second half three-pointers to welcome some offensive havoc back to the Siegel Center.
Burgess finished with 16 points of his own as one of five Rams in double-digits on the night.
Oral Roberts transfer Korey Billbury was one of the five, posting the game’s only double-double with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. He was joined by sophomore Justin Tillman who had 10 points of his own and just missed the double-double finishing with nine rebounds on the night.
Sophomore point guard Jonathan Williams chipped in 11 points for VCU on 4-7 shooting.
The Rams nearly hit the century mark despite a rough night from long range, going 6-22 from behind the three-point line tonight. VCU hit 45.5% of their field goals overall while holding Cal U to just 27% from the floor.
Havoc made a bit of an appearance as well as the Rams forced 18 Vulcan turnovers in the win.
VCU will have a week to view the film and prepare for their regular season opener Friday, Nov 13 against Prairie View A&M.
