Returning home after a confidence-building showing at the Battle for Atlantis—including a marquee win over Virginia Tech—VCU entered Friday night as 18.5-point favorites against the Bulldogs of Samford.
The Rams opened action slowly, going without a field goal for the first 3:45 and falling behind 7–1 early. Lazar Djokovic finally broke the drought with a paint-touch dunk off a feed from Michael Belle.
Samford pushed its first-half lead to seven points, before VCU’s bench final began to steady the ship. KeyShawn Mitchell splashed two threes in his opening minutes, Jordan Tillery delivered a late burst of energy and got the Rams within one-possession, as VCU closed the half on an 8–0 run to take a 34–31 edge at the break. The Rams led for just 1:17 of the first period.
VCU opened the second half with a 12–0 run in the first 6 minutes, before ultimately outscoring the Bulldogs 49–26 in the half. Terrence Hill Jr. erupted for 15 second-half points, Tracey and Evans owned the glass, and the Rams suffocated Samford into 0–10 from three after halftime.
VCU improves to 6–3 on the year with the 83-57 win.
The Rams return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 10th, hosting the Lobos of New Mexico at the Siegel Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM on MASN/ESPN+.
The Rams opened action slowly, going without a field goal for the first 3:45 and falling behind 7–1 early. Lazar Djokovic finally broke the drought with a paint-touch dunk off a feed from Michael Belle.
Samford pushed its first-half lead to seven points, before VCU’s bench final began to steady the ship. KeyShawn Mitchell splashed two threes in his opening minutes, Jordan Tillery delivered a late burst of energy and got the Rams within one-possession, as VCU closed the half on an 8–0 run to take a 34–31 edge at the break. The Rams led for just 1:17 of the first period.
VCU opened the second half with a 12–0 run in the first 6 minutes, before ultimately outscoring the Bulldogs 49–26 in the half. Terrence Hill Jr. erupted for 15 second-half points, Tracey and Evans owned the glass, and the Rams suffocated Samford into 0–10 from three after halftime.
VCU improves to 6–3 on the year with the 83-57 win.
Key Performances
- Terrence Hill Jr.: 22 pts (8–14 FG, 5–9 3PT), 4 reb, 4 ast
- Jadrian Tracey: 10 pts, 13 reb, 1 blk
- Barry Evans: 10 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast
- KeyShawn Mitchell: 10 pts, 11 reb, 2–4 3PT
- Jordan Tillery: 10 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl
Team Notes
- VCU shot 44.6% from the field and 12–28 from three.
- Rams assisted on 17 of 29 made baskets (57%).
- Samford went 2–20 from deep (0–10 in the second half).
- VCU won the glass 52–34.
- Rams posted a 16–6 edge in second-chance points.
- Bench scoring favored VCU 50–9.
- VCU outscored Samford 49–26 in the second half.
- Three Rams recorded double-doubles (Tracey, Evans, Mitchell).
Up Next
The Rams return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 10th, hosting the Lobos of New Mexico at the Siegel Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM on MASN/ESPN+.
