<a href="http://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/JuvonteDunk.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9453" title="JuvonteDunk" src="http://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/JuvonteDunk.jpg" alt="" width="611" height="327" /></a>The Rams picked up a solid OOC win tonight as they were able to jump out early against the Belmont Bruins, withstand a late charge and eventually hold on for the 75-65 win.
Perhaps most impressive was the fact the black and gold were able to dominate at times without starting point guard Darius Theus who missed tonight's matchup with a knee injury.
Despite Theus' absence, the Rams saw stellar guard play against an extremely experienced and talented Bruins backcourt that starts a pair of high-scoring seniors.
Rob Brandenberg came alive when VCU needed him the most, posting his third double-digit performance in as many games. The Ohio native finished the evening with 14 points to go with six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Also taking advantage of the newly available backcourt minutes was freshman Melvin Johnson.
After sitting out VCU's previous game with an injury of his own, Johnson bounced back with an 11-point night in a season-high 22 minutes played. Johnson hit five of his 11 attempts on the evening, giving him his second double-digit game of his promising young career.
It was the usual suspects, Treveon Graham and Juvonte Reddic, that carried the Rams throughout the night however.
Graham lead VCU with 19 points to go with eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Reddic lead VCU with a game-high nine rebounds, putting him just shy of a double-double with his 17 points.
The win moves VCU to 5-3 heading into a Friday night brawl at rival Old Dominion against a Monarch teams that has stumbled out to an un-ODU like 1-6 record that includes three home losses already this season.
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/54696203?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&badge=0&color=ffffff" frameborder="0" width="600" height="337"></iframe>
Perhaps most impressive was the fact the black and gold were able to dominate at times without starting point guard Darius Theus who missed tonight's matchup with a knee injury.
Despite Theus' absence, the Rams saw stellar guard play against an extremely experienced and talented Bruins backcourt that starts a pair of high-scoring seniors.
Rob Brandenberg came alive when VCU needed him the most, posting his third double-digit performance in as many games. The Ohio native finished the evening with 14 points to go with six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Also taking advantage of the newly available backcourt minutes was freshman Melvin Johnson.
After sitting out VCU's previous game with an injury of his own, Johnson bounced back with an 11-point night in a season-high 22 minutes played. Johnson hit five of his 11 attempts on the evening, giving him his second double-digit game of his promising young career.
It was the usual suspects, Treveon Graham and Juvonte Reddic, that carried the Rams throughout the night however.
Graham lead VCU with 19 points to go with eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Reddic lead VCU with a game-high nine rebounds, putting him just shy of a double-double with his 17 points.
The win moves VCU to 5-3 heading into a Friday night brawl at rival Old Dominion against a Monarch teams that has stumbled out to an un-ODU like 1-6 record that includes three home losses already this season.
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