RICHMOND, Va (WRIC) — Virginia Commonwealth University and Old Dominion University will renew their rivalry Saturday as the two teams clash at the STU. Both squads are 3-2. VCU will have to shut down ODU guard Trey Freeman, who averages 17 points a game.
The Monarchs topped the Rams last year in Norfolk, 73-67. VCU leads the series, which dates back to 1969, 47-43.
VCU will start Mo Alie-Cox, Michael Gillmore, Jordan Burgess, Melvin Johnson and Korey Billbury.
19:27 — And just like that, Melvin Johnson opens the game with a 3-ball
17:55 — ODU answers with three 3-pointers of their own. 9-3 ODU.
14:48 — Fast and furious. ODU has jumped out to a 16-8 lead.
11:58 — The Rams responded with a 5-0 run after a timeout. ODU still leads 16-13.
Stat line: ODU is 4-4 from the 3-point line.
7:57 — Lots of action here at the STU. Doug Brooks nailed a 3-ball to briefly give VCU the lead but ODU tied it back up, 18-18.
Stat line: ODU has cooled a bit and are now 4-7 from the 3-point line.
6:01 — Doug Brooks looks good today. He nails another 3. Rams are on top 25-21.
3:50 — Korey Billbury lays one in as the Rams and the Monarchs continue to trade baskets. VCU 29-28.
Stat line: There have been four lead changes and three ties so far.
Stat line: Doug Brooks is 3-3 from 3-point land.
:32 — Ahmed Hamdy grabs a board and puts it in, VCU leads 35-33.
Halftime: 35-35.
Stat line: Doug Brooks leads all Rams with 9 points and Michael Gilmore has 5 boards.
19:26 — Mo Alie-Cox opens up the half with a thunderous dunk. VCU is up 37-35.
15:40 — JeQuan Lewis hits one from downtown, VCU leads 43-38.
13:36 — Melvin Johnson sinks a 3-ball. ODU takes a TO. VCU opens up a 9-point lead 49-40.
Deep thought: This Rams squad seems geared to play up tempo. Will Wade is definitely putting his stamp on this team.
11:11 — A Jordan Burgess lay up puts the Rams up by 10, 53-43.
Stat line: VCU’s bench is outscoring ODU’s bench 25-6.
6:22 — ODU started cutting into the lead but Jordan Burgess hits one from downtown, VCU 58 — ODU 50.
4:04 — JeQuan Lewis hits another 3-pointer, VCU 64 — ODU 56.
Deep thought: This might have been VCU’s best game this season — by far, the 2nd half has been their most complete 20 minutes of hoops this season.
1:00 — VCU 70 — ODU 59.
44.4 — Ugh. Game of fouls will turn the next 44 seconds into 5 minutes.
Final: VCU 76 — ODU 67.
POG: It goes to two players tonight. Doug Brooks had a stellar first half and JeQuan Lewis was clutch in the second half.
Stat line: Lewis led all Rams with 16 points (Burgess and Johnson hit double figure too) and Hamdy Mohamed pulled down 6 boards.
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