VCU (1-0) opened it’s 50th season with Coach Mike Rhoades first win as its head coach as the Rams defeated Grambling State, 94-65. The night also marked the 100th consecutive sell-out for the E.J. Wade Arena, pre-dating the 2011 Final Four campaign.
After missing the first two exhibition games, Justin Tillman showed no signs of a nagging injury in his 17 minutes tonight. The senior finished with 14 points on 4-6 shooting from the floor, and 5-6 from the free throw line. Tillman also lead the team with 10 rebounds. This was the Detroit-natives 17th career double-double.
Fellow senior, Jonathan Williams, also reached double-digit scoring for the night with 14 points. Williams also dished out 5 assists while turning the ball over only 1 time.
De’Riante Jenkins was the third Ram to score 14 points on the evening. The stoic sophomore came up big early for the Rams while shooting 3-8 from long range. Jenkins also collected 4 rebounds, and contributed 4 assists to round out his night.
Khris Lane (11) and Malik Crowfield (10) would be the remaining two Rams to score in double-digits on the evening.
Hot shooting was the name of the game for VCU as the Rams went 15-34 (44%) from long range. In total, 8 different Rams would score from three point land. Jenkins, Crowfield, and Freshman Sean Mobley all hit at least three.
All 9 points from Mobley would come from beyond the arc.
Shooting 34-75 (45%) from the floor, coupled with a 49-35 rebounding edge, would prove too much for the visiting Tigers.
The Rams return to action on Monday, November 13th at the E.J. Wade Arena against visiting North Florida. Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm.
