Score: VCU 48, Vanderbilt 37
Location: Nashville, Tenn. (Memorial Gymnasium)
Records: VCU 2-1, Vanderbilt 2-1
 
The short story: Senior forward Vince Williams scored a team-high 14 points and VCU tied a program record by allowing just 12 field goals on the way to its first SEC road victory Wednesday in Nashville.
 
OPENING TIP

• Williams buried 4-of-8 three-pointers and grabbed six rebounds. It was just enough offense for the Rams, who turned in a near-historic defensive effort
• Freshman point guard Jayden Nunn added a season-high 11 points off the bench, while classmate Nick Kern added eight
• Junior forward Hason Ward blocked five shots and grabbed eight rebounds to aid VCU's defensive attack
• The Rams also limited SEC Preseason Player of the Year Scottie Pippen Jr. to eight points on 2-of-10 shooting
• Jordan Wright led the Commodores with 15 points

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU held Vandy to 12-of-53 (.226) shooting from the floor, including 2-of-25 from 3-point range. That performance tied a record, set twice previously for fewest field goals allowed. Vanderbilt was 4-of-25 from the floor in the second half
• The Rams forced 21 turnovers and blocked seven shots
• VCU opened the second half with a 19-6 run over the first 13 minutes to build a 44-28 lead the Commodores could not overcome

NOTABLE

• The win was VCU's first over Vanderbilt in three tries
• The 37 points allowed by the Rams narrowly missed the school record for fewest points allowed (36), set in 2019 at George Mason
• VCU's bench outscored the Commodores 26-8 

NEXT UP
VCU will return home to host Chattanooga at the Stuart C. Siegel Center on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. That game will be broadcast on MASN and ESPN+.