VCU’s offense started slow, but Joe Bamisile got the Rams going with a layup in the paint, followed by a Loyola-Chicago turnover that led to his three-pointer, giving VCU its first lead of the afternoon (7-5) at the 16:33 mark. The Rams then put together a 9-2 run over 3:32 before Loyola hit a triple to pull within one point (11-10).
After trading baskets, Zeb Jackson’s fadeaway jumper at 12:00 gave VCU a 13-12 edge. A Phillip Russell three-pointer at 9:48 extended the lead to 16-12, but Loyola briefly tied it at 16 before Max Shulga responded with a three at 7:34, putting VCU back in front.
Momentum fully swung in the Rams' favor late in the first half. Jack Clark’s aggressive drive led to a layup, and a slow transition from the Ramblers resulted in Jackson finding Russell for a wide-open three to push VCU ahead 26-21 with 3:57 left. Christian Fermin followed with an old-fashioned three-point play off a Zeb Jackson assist. A late Russell triple capped off a 14-2 Rams run in the final five minutes, sending VCU into the locker room with a 36-27 advantage.
At the break, Russell led the Rams with 10 points, while Shulga contributed 7 points and 5 rebounds. VCU shot 50% from the field and 39% from deep in the first half.
The Rams struggled out of the gate to start the second half, hitting just one of their first seven shots while Loyola trimmed the deficit to six (39-33). Shulga’s three-pointer at 14:48 helped stabilize the lead at 42-34. Both teams suffered from offensive struggles early in the half, with the Ramblers shooting 3-14 and the Rams 2-11 at one point.
A crucial moment came at the 11:19 mark when Jack Clark picked up his fourth foul while going for an offensive rebound, forcing VCU to adjust defensively. Loyola took advantage, pulling within two on a three-point play, but Shulga answered with an off-balance shot in the paint to push VCU’s lead back to four at the 8:05 mark.
Loyola tied the game at 49 with 7:03 remaining before Bamisile hit one of two free throws at 6:32 to give VCU a slim lead. The Ramblers briefly reclaimed the lead (51-50) at the 5:10 mark, their first since the first half.
Zeb Jackson responded with a momentum-shifting dunk to put VCU back on top 52-51. A defensive stop led to Shulga finishing underneath the basket, extending the lead to 54-51 with 3:43 to play.
Closing Run & Defensive Lockdown
Loyola's game plan focused on controlling offensive rebounds and second-chance points—key areas VCU emphasized in yesterdays win over St. Bonaventure. However, in the final minutes, it was the Rams who executed best. Fermin hit back-to-back one-handed shots in the paint, fueling an 8-0 run that sealed the game. The Ramblers missed 12 of their last 13 shots as VCU’s defense tightened its grip.
A late free-throw flurry helped VCU close on a 12-4 run, securing the 62-55 victory and punching their ticket to the A-10 Championship game.
Key Stats & Notes
Up Next
With the win, VCU improves to 27-6 overall. The Rams return to action on Sunday, March 16, facing the winner of St. Joseph’s vs. George Mason in the A-10 Championship. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
VCU advances to its third straight A-10 Finals appearance and ninth overall since joining the conference in 2013 (12 years ago).
After trading baskets, Zeb Jackson’s fadeaway jumper at 12:00 gave VCU a 13-12 edge. A Phillip Russell three-pointer at 9:48 extended the lead to 16-12, but Loyola briefly tied it at 16 before Max Shulga responded with a three at 7:34, putting VCU back in front.
Momentum fully swung in the Rams' favor late in the first half. Jack Clark’s aggressive drive led to a layup, and a slow transition from the Ramblers resulted in Jackson finding Russell for a wide-open three to push VCU ahead 26-21 with 3:57 left. Christian Fermin followed with an old-fashioned three-point play off a Zeb Jackson assist. A late Russell triple capped off a 14-2 Rams run in the final five minutes, sending VCU into the locker room with a 36-27 advantage.
At the break, Russell led the Rams with 10 points, while Shulga contributed 7 points and 5 rebounds. VCU shot 50% from the field and 39% from deep in the first half.
The Rams struggled out of the gate to start the second half, hitting just one of their first seven shots while Loyola trimmed the deficit to six (39-33). Shulga’s three-pointer at 14:48 helped stabilize the lead at 42-34. Both teams suffered from offensive struggles early in the half, with the Ramblers shooting 3-14 and the Rams 2-11 at one point.
A crucial moment came at the 11:19 mark when Jack Clark picked up his fourth foul while going for an offensive rebound, forcing VCU to adjust defensively. Loyola took advantage, pulling within two on a three-point play, but Shulga answered with an off-balance shot in the paint to push VCU’s lead back to four at the 8:05 mark.
Loyola tied the game at 49 with 7:03 remaining before Bamisile hit one of two free throws at 6:32 to give VCU a slim lead. The Ramblers briefly reclaimed the lead (51-50) at the 5:10 mark, their first since the first half.
Zeb Jackson responded with a momentum-shifting dunk to put VCU back on top 52-51. A defensive stop led to Shulga finishing underneath the basket, extending the lead to 54-51 with 3:43 to play.
Closing Run & Defensive Lockdown
Loyola's game plan focused on controlling offensive rebounds and second-chance points—key areas VCU emphasized in yesterdays win over St. Bonaventure. However, in the final minutes, it was the Rams who executed best. Fermin hit back-to-back one-handed shots in the paint, fueling an 8-0 run that sealed the game. The Ramblers missed 12 of their last 13 shots as VCU’s defense tightened its grip.
A late free-throw flurry helped VCU close on a 12-4 run, securing the 62-55 victory and punching their ticket to the A-10 Championship game.
Key Stats & Notes
- Max Shulga posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
- Luke Bamgboye recorded four blocks, entering VCU’s top-10 all-time shot-blocking list.
- VCU and Loyola each scored 28 points in the paint.
- The Ramblers dominated second-chance points (17-4), but VCU made up for it with 12 points off turnovers.
- Fastbreak scoring was tight, with Loyola (12) edging VCU (10).
- Shooting woes plagued both teams in the second half: VCU shot 36% (9-25), while Loyola hit just 28% (10-36).
- Loyola finished at 29.4% from the field, while VCU shot 43.1% overall.
Up Next
With the win, VCU improves to 27-6 overall. The Rams return to action on Sunday, March 16, facing the winner of St. Joseph’s vs. George Mason in the A-10 Championship. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
VCU advances to its third straight A-10 Finals appearance and ninth overall since joining the conference in 2013 (12 years ago).
