VCU earns homecoming game win against Fordham, 80-61

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VCU sophomore guard Nick Kern Jr attempts to score in a against Fordham University. Photo by Alessandro Latour

Thailon Wilson, Staff Writer

VCU defeated Fordham University, 80-61, to secure the Rams the win for VCU’s Homecoming game and remain at the top of the Atlantic 10 standings.

Before the game even tipped off to start the Homecoming game, the game signified VCU’s senior day as well.

The Rams celebrated graduate transfers Brandon Johns Jr. and David Shriver for all their contributions with the team since they came here in the fall. VCU also celebrated senior guard Arnold Henderson VI and redshirt junior guard Jarren McAllister for their participation in the program.

All graduating class players were rewarded with a placard alongside a standing ovation from the fans to show how much each of them mean to the program.

VCU guard junior Adrian “Ace” Baldwin Jr. said the team played with extra intensity to represent the seniors well.

“We played extra hard, so we could honor our seniors,” Baldwin said.

VCU started off the game fast paced, as VCU sophomore guard Nick Kern single-handedly scored eight out of 11 points for the Rams to give VCU an early 11-4 lead, with 15 minutes left in the first half.

Kern said his off-ball movement helped him get open to earn easy scoring opportunities at the rim.

“My cutting ability is getting better and better each game, so I was just moving without the ball,” Kern said.

Fordham couldn’t break the Rams’ press defense, which allowed VCU to force seven turnovers in the first seven minutes of play.

Fordham freshman forward Elijah Gray hit a free throw to break Fordham’s three-minute scoring drought to lower the lead to 13-5, with 13 minutes left in the first half.

After some missed opportunities by VCU, Fordham was able to decrease the lead to 13-10 with 10 minutes left.

VCU and Fordham went back and forth trading basket after basket and with six minutes left to go, the game was tied 20-20.

The Rams went back to their full-court press, which helped them to create more fastbreak opportunities to go on a 11-2 run over two minutes to give VCU a 31-22 lead with four minutes left in the first half.

To end the half, VCU allowed Fordham to score only once in the remainder of the first half making the score, 37-24 at halftime.

During halftime, VCU celebrated their homecoming game by announcing VCU’s homecoming court for each class.

After announcing each winner, the winners were given a satchel and a crown to represent their royalty.

To continue the festive mood of the homecoming game, VCU brought out previous VCU basketball alumni greats including Charles McLeod.

McLeod was the first ever black basketball player to be given a scholarship in 1966 to play at VCU.

McCleod also formed the first ever African American association here at VCU and talked to the president of VCU to demand better student life for fellow African Americans at VCU.

“Dr. McLeod was the first ever African American to play here at VCU and started the trail for so many guys,” VCU head coach Mike Rhoades said. “We show our appreciation for the guys that came before us by playing hard.”

VCU started the second half off hot as they increased their lead to 46-30 with 15 minutes left in the second half.

Rhoades said he enjoyed seeing the constant pressure that the team put on.

“Everybody loves it when we get steals out of it. I love it when we’re so solid and we just continually put constant pressure on them,” Rhoades said.

Shriver hit back to back three pointers to increase the lead to 54-34 to give the Rams their largest lead of the game.

After a timeout, Fordham started to chip away at the lead, but VCU continued to answer back and maintained a 57-41 lead with nine minutes left in the game.

Fordham continued to shave away at VCU’s lead, but the Rams’ Havoc defense helped to produce 22 turnovers, according to Statbroadcast.

This defensive press allowed the black and gold to end the game comfortably with a score of 80-61 after a career-high 17 points by Kern to secure a win on senior day and maintain their first place position in the A-10.

The Rams will play against the Saint Joseph’s University Hawks on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m., at the Hagan Arena. The game will be televised on ESPN+.

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