Assistant Sports Editor, Alexis Washington
VCU men’s basketball entered its matchup against Loyola Chicago with a four-game winning streak on Friday night at the Siegel Center.
The Rams came off a big win against cross town rival the University of Richmond on Tuesday, following a road victory against Davidson College on Jan. 24.
VCU won the tip-off but immediately turned the ball over and remained scoreless for four minutes. Loyola came in hot with third-year center Miles Rubin driving the ball to the basket.
The Ramblers offense became untouchable going on an 8-0 run, forcing VCU to go into a time out.
Third-year forward Michael Belle put up the first points for the Rams with a free throw. The Ramblers responded with an alleyoop dunk from Rubin.
Both teams played at a fast, aggressive pace, trading baskets throughout the stretch. Rams second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. shot a deep three and Ramblers answered back with a three of their own from third-year guard Justin Moore.
In an effort to put more points on the board, VCU found its rhythm. Belle sparked the run with a three pointer off a turnover at the ten-minute mark.
The momentum continued as VCU fourth-year forward Barry Evans made an alleyoop dunk to make it 25-16.
Out of the timeout, Hill seized control. He drilled a three-pointer at the six-minute mark, buried another at five minutes and added a four-point play with less than three minutes left.
Ward ended the first half with a driving lay up tying the game at 46. He tied a season high of 15 career points.
The Rams struggled with offensive rebounds having none in the first half compared to Ramblers eight.
VCU opened the half with a driving lay up from redshirt fourth year guard Jadrian Tracey giving the Rams their first lead of the night 48-46.
The Ramblers tried to regain the lead with a lay-up by Rubin. However, Evans scored back-to-back lay ups, extending the lead 59-52.
Tensions rose on the court and a tech was on VCU second-year guard Brandon Jennings. That lit a fire in the Rams and Belle tipped a dunk on the next possession.
Hill got the crowd on their feet, extending the lead to ten with a three pointer. He ended the game with a career high of 24 points.
“I know my teammates have a lot of confidence in me and my coaches do as well,” Hill said. “When I get out there, I’m just going to be aggressive and just play the game.”
Tracey was a firing force for the Rams before both teams entered a scoring drought. He hit a layup at the nine-minute mark, followed by a three-pointer.
With less than three minutes remaining, the Ramblers tried to keep hope alive with a stepback three from redshirt third year Justin Moore.
The Rams immediately answered with a free throw from Jennings and a driving layup from Hill, advancing the lead 85-75.
The Ramblers turned the ball over with one minute and four seconds remaining.
VCU capitalized and closed the game out winning, 89-75.
It was a team effort as Tracey, Belle, Hill and Ward all put up double figures.
This win was more than numbers on a scoresheet for head coach Phil Martelli Jr., as it was part of the “Coaches vs. Cancer” campaign.
“Coach versus cancer means a lot to us. I actually have been wearing this band. It’s like basketball. It’s probably time for a new one, Martelli said. “So coach versus cancer has been very important to our family.”
VCU will play its next game at Fordham University on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m.