Max Shulga had a contested look from the corner as the game clock expired, but his triple attempt came up just short as the Rams fall to the Spartans of Norfolk State, 63-60.
VCU was bothered all night by a pesky Norfolk State defense that held the Rams to 36% shooting from the floor.
It looked like the night may favor the home team early as the Rams jumped out to a 14-8 lead behind a a 7-0 run that included a triple and a dunk.
Picking up right where he left off from the previous game, Fats Billups checked into the lineup and knocked down his first attempt from downtown.
The Spartans responded with a 12-2 run—capped by a dunk and timeout call from VCU—to take a 20-16 lead with 6:25 remaining in the first half.
The Rams went 0-6 from the floor during that span before Zeb Jackson took the strong side of the lane kissed his shot off the glass.
Each team led by as many as six points at some point in the first half, but it was the Spartans who took the 26-23 lead into the locker room.
The Spartans turned 17 VCU turnovers into 12 points, while VCU managed to rack up 8 points on 7 Spartans turnovers.
Norfolk State dominated the Rams in the paint to the tune of 40-18 differential.
Both Jason Nelson and Jackson hit back-to-back three’s late in the game, but in each instance the Spartans answered on the other end to keep their distance.
Jackson led the Rams with 15 points and 3 assists; while Nelson chipped in 11 points and 3 assists to go with his 4 rebounds.
Shulga was the only other Ram in double digit scoring with 14 points.
Michael Belle led the rebounding charge for the Rams with 11 boards to go with his 5 points.
VCU returns to action on Wednesday Dec. 6th as they host the Tigers of Memphis. That game is set to tip at 7pm and will be broadcast on ESPN.
VCU was bothered all night by a pesky Norfolk State defense that held the Rams to 36% shooting from the floor.
It looked like the night may favor the home team early as the Rams jumped out to a 14-8 lead behind a a 7-0 run that included a triple and a dunk.
Picking up right where he left off from the previous game, Fats Billups checked into the lineup and knocked down his first attempt from downtown.
The Spartans responded with a 12-2 run—capped by a dunk and timeout call from VCU—to take a 20-16 lead with 6:25 remaining in the first half.
The Rams went 0-6 from the floor during that span before Zeb Jackson took the strong side of the lane kissed his shot off the glass.
Each team led by as many as six points at some point in the first half, but it was the Spartans who took the 26-23 lead into the locker room.
The Spartans turned 17 VCU turnovers into 12 points, while VCU managed to rack up 8 points on 7 Spartans turnovers.
Norfolk State dominated the Rams in the paint to the tune of 40-18 differential.
Both Jason Nelson and Jackson hit back-to-back three’s late in the game, but in each instance the Spartans answered on the other end to keep their distance.
Jackson led the Rams with 15 points and 3 assists; while Nelson chipped in 11 points and 3 assists to go with his 4 rebounds.
Shulga was the only other Ram in double digit scoring with 14 points.
Michael Belle led the rebounding charge for the Rams with 11 boards to go with his 5 points.
VCU returns to action on Wednesday Dec. 6th as they host the Tigers of Memphis. That game is set to tip at 7pm and will be broadcast on ESPN.
