VCU silences Fordham in a quiet gym

VCU first-year Luke Bamgboye catches an alley-oop past Fordham defender. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics.
Jenny Allen, Contributing writer
Ethan York, Contributing writer
In a gym devoid of fans, VCU started off the game winning the tip-off but weren’t able to score on their opening drive.
Fordham University fourth-year guard Jackie Johnson III scored the first points of the game.
Graduate student guard Max Shulga was able to score the first points for VCU, according to StatBroadcast.
Despite the empty arena, Shulga is thankful to play the game.
“It was weird, we obviously want our fans to be at this game. Unfortunately the situation with the water has everyone going through it, but it is also a blessing to be able to play the game,” Shulga said.
Fordham graduate student guard Japhet Medor sank a three to tie the game 7-7 with VCU at the 13-minute mark.
After a Fordham timeout, Shulga hit a jumper putting VCU up with a one-point lead 10-9 at the 11-minute mark.
Ten minutes into the first half, VCU led 14-11, with a competitive back-and-forth from both teams.
A great offensive drive led to a fadeaway jumper and gave VCU graduate student guard Zeb Jackson his first points of the game.
Fordham was on a cold streak and had missed all of their last six field goal attempts at the five-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.
VCU also went on a two-minute scoring drought with three minutes left.
A jumper by Fordham graduate student forward Matt Zona gave them a 20-19 lead.
VCU first-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. ended their scoring drought with a driving layup and was awarded a free throw after getting fouled by Fordham.
Jackson then scored a step-back jumper giving VCU a 24-22 lead.
At the end of the first half, Shulga led the team in scoring with seven points, keeping the team’s lead, 24-23.
VCU started the second half with the ball with graduate student forward Jack Clark scoring off a jumper.
Shulga slammed the ball in with a dunk, to give VCU a 34-25 lead over Fordham, at the 17-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.
VCU stayed strong offensively going four-for-four on their field goals at the 16-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.
At the four-minute mark, graduate student guard Joe Bamisile kept VCU’s offense alive with a strong offensive drive on the fast break, holding onto an eight-point lead, 36-28.
Zona ended Fordham’s two-minute scoring drought with a three at the 14-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.
Fordham got their sixth team foul after giving Bamisile an and one, making the score 38-31.
Bamisile made his presence known in the second half making back-to-back threes at the 12-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.
Bamisile set VCU first-year forward Luke Bamgboye with an alley-oop, extending VCUs lead 48-42 with just over ten minutes left in the second half.
When asked about Bamgboye’s development with the team, Bamisile showed confidence in his teammate.
“I’m very proud of little man,” Bamisile said.
VCU guard Alphonso “Fats” Billups shut down a Fordham drive with a steal and ended a successful VCU drive with a three at the nine-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.
With eight minutes left in the second half, Shulga knocked down three shots at the line giving VCU a 14-point lead, 58-44, according to StatBroadcast.
VCU head coach Ryan Odom had words for his city amidst its water crisis after a big game.
“Our guys were disappointed that our fans couldn’t be here, but we understand why, and our job was to play for them, those that couldn’t be there,” Odom said.
VCU Rams stayed strong and consistent in their 73-61 win over the Fordham Rams.
The VCU Rams will play their next game at the Hagen Arena against the Saint Joseph’s Hawks on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7p.m.