RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — We are back at the Siegel Center as the Rams face the Patriots of George Mason in the first A-10 match-up for both squads. The 8-5 Rams are riding a three-game win streak; the 6-7 Patriots are looking to make it three in a row.
This is the 53rd tilt between the two teams who both made the jump from the CAA to the A-10. VCU leads the all-time series 34-18 and have won five straight to GMU. They are also 11-3 against them in the Siegel Center. In addition, VCU is 7-1 at the Stu this season.
VCU starters:
Mo Alie-Cox (F), JeQuan Lewis (G), Michael Gilmore (F), Jordan Burgess (G), and Melvin Johnson (G)
Early Tweets:
Game Time:
16:32 — Both teams come out cold. VCU 4 — GMU 0.
Stat line: VCU is 2-6 from the floor; GMU is 0-6.
11:00 — We are on pace for a 30-point first half. VCU 11 — GMU 6.
Stat line: Early on, Melvin Johnson leads all scorers with 5.
6:54 — Billbury takes an inbound pass from Tillman and muscles the ball in the hoop. VCU 19 — GMU 11.
Stat line: Both teams are struggling beyond the arc. VCU is 1-7; GMU is 1-6.
6:01 — Right on cue, Johnson nails a three-ball. VCU 24 — GMU 11.
Deep thought: GMU has been scoreless for nearly three minutes and VCU has taken advantage of that.
:50 — Justin Tillman gabs an offensive board and pus it home. VCU 31 — GMU 17.
Halftime Score: VCU 33 — GMU 22.
Deep thought: The first half was about poor shooting and defense. VCU has forced 10 turnovers so far including six steals. They have also scored nine point off the miscues. GMU shot 8-26 from the floor; VCU did not do much better going 12-33.
Key to the second half: VCU needs to take better advantage of Mason’s poor shooting and ball handling.
15:58 — GMU is slowly making a game of it as VCU shooting woes continue. VCU 37 — GMU 29.
Stat line: Melvin Johnson leads all scorers with 15 points. Billbury has added six points of his own.
13:48 — JeQuan Lewis breaks the Rams’ scoring drought. VCU 39 — GMU 31.
Update: VCU is on a 9-0 run, holding GMU scoreless for about three minutes. VCU 45 — GMU 31.
Deep thought: GMU has committed seven turnovers already in the second half.
5:57 — Ahmed Hamdy comes off of the bench and scores 10 as VCU has opened up a 21-point lead. VCU 62 — GMU 41.
4:40 — Melvin Johnson nails a three. Could be the end of his workday with 22 points. VCU 65 — GMU 41.
POG — It can’t go to Melvin Johnson all the time. Ahmed Hamdy is the POG with 16 points and 8 boards. Most of that damage came in the second half.
Final Score: VCU 71 — GMU 47
Final thought: VCU got past their early second half shooting woes sparked by Melvin Johnson and Ahmed Hamdy. The Rams finished the game shooting 41 percent from the floor. They also caused a game total 22 turnovers. A strong effort in their first conference win of the season.
Up next: A trip to Saint Joseph’s on Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. The 11-2 Hawks beat the Richmond Spiders today 77-73.
Feel free to be a participant — this is a fan friendly blog. Send me a video of your pre-game, in-game, and/or post-game analysis to rcrocker@wric.com and I might post it. You can tweet at me too @RobbCrockerWRIC. I just might retweet you or make you famous here on the blog. Remember kids, keep it clean, your parents could be watching!
Looking for a place to go before games and when the Rams are on the road? Look no further. The RVA GOLD Alumni Chapter is sponsoring the following fan gatherings:
VCU @ St. Louis
Watch party
When: 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10
Where: The Pig and Pearl, 2053 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220
VCU @ Richmond
Watch party
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16
Where: The Pig and Pearl, 2053 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220
VCU @ Davidson
Watch party
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29
Where: Southern Railway Taphouse, 111 Virginia St., Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23219
VCU vs. George Washington
Pregame social
When: Noon Saturday, Feb. 6
Where: The Pig and Pearl (walking distance to the Siegel Center), 2053 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220
VCU @ UMASS
Watch party
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11
Where: Social 52, 2619 W. Main St., Richmond, VA 23220
VCU vs. Richmond
Pregame social
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19
Where: The Pig and Pearl (walking distance to the Siegel Center), 2053 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220
VCU @ George Mason
Watch party
When: TBD Wednesday, Feb. 24
Where: Kickback Jack’s, 9318 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23294
VCU @ George Washington
Watch party
When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27
Where: Home Team Grill in the Fan, 1630 W. Main St. (corner of Main and Vine streets), Richmond, VA 23220
VCU @ Dayton
Watch party
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5
Where: Kickback Jack’s, 9318 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23294
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