Devynn Alston, Staff Writer
VCU men’s basketball opened their 2026-2027 campaign with an 82-72 victory over the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Monday night at Siegel Center.
The Rams won the tip and jumped out to an early 7-2 lead over the Trojans.
Little Rock hit two three-point shots to cut the deficit to one seven minutes into the opening half.
With 12 minutes left in the first half, Little Rock committed their seventh foul, putting VCU in the bonus for the rest of the half. VCU third-year forward Torey Alston knocked down a pair of free throws to increase VCU’s lead to 16-12.
Throughout the first half, the Rams were aggressive on the offensive end. The Rams ended the half shooting 20 free throws, totaling 48 by the end of the game.
Fourth-year guard Tyrell Ward made an and-one layup to give the Rams a seven-point lead.
With eight minutes left in the first half, Little Rock cut the lead to four, making the score 23-19.
After a steal by second-year guard Nyk Lewis, third-year guard Brandon Jennings got put on the line and increased VCU’s score to six, 27-21.
Alston increased the Rams’ lead to eight points with more free throws, making the lead 29-21.
The Trojans went on a run and tied the score at 31 via free throws from third-year forward Papa Amadou Kante. Little Rock graduate student forward Bradyn Hubbard capitalized off of a VCU turnover to give the Trojans their first lead of the game.
The Rams went on a run to end the half, ending with a four-point lead, 37-33.
The first half saw both sides playing aggressive defense, with both teams picking the other up in the backcourt.
VCU came out and scored the first points of the half off a jumper by Lewis in the paint.
Three minutes into the second half Alston increased the score to 43-37 on an alley-opp finish, assisted by Lewis.
An and-one layup by fourth-year forward Lazar Djokovic increased VCU’s lead to six, but fourth-year guard Jah’Likai King responded to cut the lead to 47-43.
After that, the Rams’ defense locked in leading to a Little Rock shot clock violation.
The Rams then went on a small run, increasing their lead to 54-43. A lot of those points came in transition with the Rams recording 31 fast break points on the night.
VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. highlighted his team’s difficulty finding their flow.
“You know, that’s one of those games where you get some stops, there were good defensive stretches, but then we’re getting fouled on a rebound, we’re getting fouled in transition,” Martelli said. “We just want to be able to go.”
Third-year guard Blake Harper gave VCU their largest lead of the game of 14, making the score 64-50.
That run opened the game up, with VCU never letting Little Rock get within five points for the rest of the night, ending the game 82-72.
The Rams will travel to FedExForum to take on the Memphis Tigers on Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. for their next game.