Fans are back, Rams bushwhack Saint Louis

VCU men's basketball celebrates after VCU first-year guard Brandon Jennings' three-pointer. Photo by Arrick Wilson.
Kyler Gilliam, Staff Writer
The Rams defeated the Saint Louis University Billikens 78-62 in an A-10 conference matchup on Jan. 14.
This is the first game with fans back inside the Siegel Center since the water outage affected the city of Richmond. It is the first time the Rams have played in front of a home crowd in 23 days, according to VCU Athletics.
VCU head coach Ryan Odom praised the energy that the fans brought to the matchup against SLU.
“We have one of the best crowds in the country, and certainly, when we’re all here and together, it’s electric like it was tonight. It’s really fun to be a part of,” Odom said.
The Rams jumped to an early 8-0 run after SLU third-year center Robbie Avila drained a three-pointer to start the game for the Billikens, their only lead for the entire game.
VCU graduate student guard Phillip Russell would cap off the run with a three-pointer at the 18-minute mark of the first half.
VCU graduate student guard Joe Bamisile would lead all scorers in the first half with 17 points, including nine points in the first six minutes of the contest. Shooting 60% from the field and 80% from behind the arc. Bamisile converted a four-point and one opportunity at the 14-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.
Both teams shot the ball well from the three-point line in the first half. The Rams shot 41% while the Billikens shot 57%, according to StatBroadcast.
The Rams kept their lead by leaning on their depth throughout the first half. They outscored the Billikens bench 12-0 in the first half, led by third-year forward Christian Fermin, who scored six points.
The Rams would go into halftime up 47-42, led by Bamisile’s 17 points and VCU graduate student forward Jack Clark scoring nine points and three assists.
The defensive effort from the Rams was not up to standard for the team, according to graduate student guard Max Shulga. Allowing eight three-pointers and committing ten personal fouls, the Billikens shot 12-16 at the free throw line due to the fouls.
“We fouled a little bit too much in the first half, they shot like 23 free throws. I think most of them were in the first half,” Shulga said. “We tried to take care of just silly floor fouls, putting them in the moments too quick, and just be more disciplined.”
The Rams would go on to outscore the Billikens 31-20 in the second half, led by their defensive efforts. They stole the ball nine times over the course of the second half, with Russell and Shulga having three each.
The most impactful steal came from first-year guard Brandon Jennings. After a made layup by Shulga, Jennings would steal the inbound pass and go to the corner in front of the Rams’ bench and drain a three that would be a centerpiece of a second-half 10-0 run for VCU.
Jennings achieved a career-high in points with 10, along with six rebounds and two steals, according to VCU Athletics.
Jennings said he would credit his preparation on his ability to capitalize in a big moment for his team.
“Just trusting my work is big, just knowing that my time is going to come and just continue to play high practice and keep working,” Jennings said.
The Rams cleaned up their foul problem in the second half, only committing five and having the Billikens shoot only seven free throws.
VCU dominated on the offensive boards, out-rebounding SLU 22-4, leading to 19 second-chance points for the Rams.
The Rams’ depth continued to dominate the Billikens in the second half, with VCU’s bench outscoring SLU’s 26-2.
The Rams will be back in the Siegel Center to face off against the Saint. Bonaventure University Bonnies on Thursday, Jan. 24.