Marcus Santos-Silva would not be stopped as the Rams opened the 2019-2020 season with a 72-58 win over the visiting Red Flames of St. Francis (PA.).
The VCU big man notched his 7th career double-double with a commanding 21 point and 18 rebound performance.
Overall, the Rams were just too much for the Red Flames down low as VCU tallied 42 in the paint.
Of those 42 points, only 10 came from fast break opportunities, as VCU used its size difference to pull away in the first half.
The Rams used an early 19-3 run—capped by a fast break layup from De’Riante Jenkins—to create enough cushion to outlast the Red Flames.
Jenkins ended the night with the second highest scoring production for the Rams with 16 points on 6-10 shooting from the floor.
Turnovers plagued both teams through the night as they combined for 37 in 40 minutes of action.
VCU was able to convert 19 SFU turnovers into 20 points.
Overall, the Rams shot 27-55 from the floor for 49%; while going 3-13 for 23% on their long range attempts.
Marcus Evans (12pts/4ast) and Bones Hyland (4pts/2ast) were the only Rams to find the bottom of the nets from deep—they connected on 2 and 1, respectively.
VCU entered tonights matchup ranked #25 nationally in the Associated Press poll; while just missing the Coaches/USA Today poll at #26.
Tonights game also marked the 135 consecutive sellout at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
