Protect the Stu: VCU men’s basketball remains undefeated

Andrew Thompson, Contributing Writer

The undefeated Rams went into the week without a loss and left in the same fashion following a two-game homestead against Merrimack College and Loyola University Maryland at the Siegel Center.

VCU vs Merrimack

VCU beat the Merrimack College Warriors, 63-42, on Nov. 13, despite some late-game hiccups.

Merrimack won the tip-off and scored the first points half a minute into the game before the teams started trading possessions.

Following three lead changes in three minutes, VCU took the lead off a floater from graduate student guard Joe Bamisile. From then on, the Rams continued to build momentum and extend their lead. 

The Warriors proved resilient and kept the game close until the six-minute mark, where two free throws from first-year guard Brandon Jennings kickstarted an 18-2 run from the Rams to end the first half, according to StatBroadcast. 

VCU’s aggressive play on both offense and defense helped them end the half strong as they held Merrimack to 10% from three, while also forcing 13 turnovers and 14 personal fouls from the struggling Warriors, according to StatBroadcast. 

The atmosphere inside the Siegel Center was palpable, fans were on their feet and cheering. 

“I love this crowd. I know the guys love this crowd,” said Phillip Russell, VCU graduate student guard. “I wish I went here all four years, like this crowd is amazing, I love it.”

The Rams went into halftime with a 21-point lead over the Warriors at 38-17. VCU’s Bamisile and Russell both led the team in scoring, with 12 points each, according to StatBroadcast. 

Coming out in the second half, the Rams continued to build off their momentum from the first, going on a 13-6 run for the first nine minutes.

However, VCU began to play sloppily on both sides of the ball. While their defensive aggression was still ever present, they began picking up more fouls with 14 out of their 22 coming from the second half, according to StatBroadcast. 

The Rams were also unable to capitalize on their second-half offensive possessions. Their late-game offensive woes saw them go almost seven minutes without a made field goal, according to StatBroadcast. 

The Rams still went on to win the game by 21 points, however, their poor shooting numbers in the second half were noticed by VCU head coach Ryan Odom. VCU shot 30% from the field and 7% from three in the half, according to StatBroadcast. 

“Fortunately for us, we had a significant cushion, but we’ve got to play more disciplined,” Odom said. “I think we settled a bit, and this team has no visions of settling.”

VCU vs Loyola University Maryland

Bersabeh Kemaw, Staff Writer

VCU advanced their winning streak to 4-0 after beating Loyola University Maryland, 83-57, on Nov. 16 at the Siegel Center.

Loyola won the jump ball and made a layup to start the game off. 

VCU quickly answered back with a layup made by graduate student forward Jack Clark.

The defense was intense in this half with both teams scoring back-and-forth. 

The Rams trailed until about the 12-minute mark, but a dunk by VCU first-year forward Luke Bamgboye gave them their first lead of the game, making it 13-12.

Loyola quickly answered with a jumper putting them back ahead.

Graduate student guard Joe Bamisile dunked on the fast break from an opponent turnover with an assist from Bamgboye and gave the Rams their lead back. 

The Rams went on a 10-0 run but Loyola answered back with an 11-0 run that allowed them to regain the lead 25-23 around the five-minute mark.

VCU graduate student guard Max Shulga nailed a three-pointer at the five-minute mark, allowing the Rams to get back the lead.

Bamisile made two free throws, blocked a shot on defense and took it all the way for a dunk to close out the first half.

The Rams’ fans filled the stu with cheers and roars after his performance.

VCU was up 36-30 at the end of the first half.

VCU head coach Ryan Odom said there was a lid on the basket for the team which contributed to their slow start in the beginning of the first half.

“We made a couple of mishaps in transition,” Odom said. “Couldn’t get one to quite go down and that put us in transition defense quite a bit.”

The Rams opened up the second half with a dunk made by Clark that arguably set the tone for the remainder of the game.

Shulga made a three-point jumper and a dunk on the fast break that put the Rams at 43-33 at the 15-minute mark.

VCU did have some foul trouble early in the second half resulting in graduate student guard Phillip Russell having to sit out for most of the half.

Clark, Bamisile and Shulga put on a performance in the second half that helped advance the team to a 26-point lead as the Rams secured their fourth win in a row, 83-57.

Although Shulga recorded his sixth career double-double, he acknowledged the importance of having a good team.

“We have three 20-plus scorers,” Shulga said. “Everybody contributed so this is a great team win.”

VCU men’s basketball will be heading to Charleston, South Carolina for the Shriners Children’s Hospital Classic to play against Seton Hall University on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m.