Annihilation: The Rams obliterate the Spiders, 90-49
VCU first-year forward Luke Bamgboye dunks over Richmond defender. Photo by Arrick Wilson.
Thailon Wilson, Sports Editor
Kyler Gilliam, Staff Writer
The VCU Rams defeated the Richmond Spiders 90-49 in Richmond’s 2025 Capital City Classic on Feb. 1.
The Rams previously went 1-1 in last year’s matchups with their cross-town rivals. The black and gold took home the Richmond Area Honda Dealers’ Capital City Classic 63-52, and the Spiders won the rematch in Henrico 79-76, according to VCU Athletics.
The Rams came out of the gate hot with a 12-3 lead backed by a 10-0 run in a minute and a half caused by three turnovers from the Spiders, according to StatBroadcast.
The Rams opened their lead to 22-7 by the second media timeout at the 10-minute mark, shooting 75% from the field and holding the Spiders to 27%, according to StatBroadcast.
A 14-4 run, built by two three-pointers from VCU graduate student guard Max Shulga, would cement a 38-13 lead for VCU at the three-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.
“He’s such a good three-point shooter,” said VCU head coach Ryan Odom. “We need to work on getting him more opportunities.”
Shulga led the Rams in points, ending the half with 14 and outscoring the Spiders who had 13 points going into halftime.
The half would close with the Rams up 41-13. The 31-point difference is the second-highest point differential in a half for VCU this season, falling a point short of the 32-point total against Division III St. Mary’s College of Maryland in an exhibition game on Oct. 28, 2024, according to VCU Athletics.
The Rams and the Spiders came out of halftime trading back-and-forth buckets, but the Rams maintained a 53-23 lead going into the 16-minute mark media timeout.
During the timeout, fans were getting rowdy and chanting celebratory chants. Some fans were holding up signs, one of which read, “VCU is THE University of Richmond.”
VCU first-year guard Brandon Jennings said he was amazed by how passionate fans were about the rivalry.
“The community definitely showed out, and it was amazing to play in front of everybody,” Jennings said.
The Rams retook their 30-point lead after Shulga made a layup plus a free throw, which gave the Rams a 57-26 lead at the 13-minute mark.
His layup contributed to an 11-0 run for the Rams, giving them a 63-26 lead going into the 12-minute mark media timeout, according to StatBroadcast.
The Spiders attempted to inch away at the black and gold’s lead but the Rams continued to score 1.5 points per possession, according to StatBroadcast.
The Rams were up 82-45 at the two-minute mark, and the crowd chanted, “We own Richmond!”
Despite Richmond’s best efforts, VCU never let their foot off the gas and ended the game winning by 41 points, the largest margin of victory against the Spiders in series history, according to VCU Athletics.
