Score: Rhode Island 83, VCU 68
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 9-3 (2-1 A-10), Rhode Island 6-6 (4-2)
 
The story: Sophomore guard Bones Hyland's 24-point performance was not enough for VCU Men's Basketball as it suffered 83-68 loss to Rhode Island Saturday night at the Stuart C. Seigel Center.
 
OPENING TIP

• Hyland led the Rams in scoring for the ninth time this season. The sophomore also collected five rebounds in the contest. The Wilmington, Del. native scored 19 of his 24 in the second half and connected on 8-of-19 field goals
• Junior guard KeShawn Curry chipped in 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting for the Black and Gold
• Sophomore forward Hason Ward bolstered the VCU defense tallying four blocks. Ward also contributed eight points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field
• Fatts Russell and Jeremy Sheppard contributed 23 and 20 points, respectively, to lead Rhode Island

THE DIFFERENCE

• Rhode Island a 17-2 scoring run over more than six minutes in the second half to take a commanding 71-56 lead with 7:05 left. Russell punctuated the decisive run with a step-back 3-pointer as the shot clock expired
• VCU battled hard in a back-and-forth first half. The game was knotted at 40 when the teams entered the locker room
• Rhode Island won the rebounding battle 41-26, including 25-8 in the second half
• Rhody shot .481 (26-of-54) from the field, including .571 (8-of-14) from 3-point range

NOTABLE 

• The game featured 10 lead changes and nine ties
• VCU recorded 11 blocks in the game, marking the second time this year the Black and Gold registered double-digit blocks
• The Rams outscored Rhode Island in bench points 29-22. VCU has outscored opposing benches in 11 of 12 games this season
• Hyland scored 20+ points for the fifth time this season
• Ward tied his career high with four blocks

UP NEXT
VCU will travel to Washington, D.C. to take on George Washington 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The game will air on ESPN+ and NBC Sports Washington.