Score: Memphis 62, VCU 47
Location: Memphis, Tenn. (FedEx Forum)
Records: VCU 3-2, Memphis 2-1
Â
The short story: Redshirt sophomore guard
Jamir Watkins led VCU with 14 points and 10 rebounds, but the poor shooting and turnovers plagued the Rams Sunday night in Memphis.
Â
OPENING TIP
- Watkins connected on 5-of-11 attempts from the field, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range. He added four steals and three assists to his second career double-double
- Graduate forward Brandon Johns Jr. narrowly missed a double-double for the second straight game for VCU and finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. He also blocked two shots
- Sophomore guard Jayden Nunn added 10 points for the Black and Gold
- Kendric Davis led all players with 26 points and seven assists for Memphis
THE DIFFERENCE
- VCU shot just 29 percent (16-of-55) from the field in the game, including 25 percent (6-of-24) from 3-point range. The Rams were held to 23-percent (6-of-26) shooting and just 16 points in the first half
- The Rams also committed 18 turnovers, which Memphis turned into 26 points. Thirteen of VCU's turnovers came in the first half alone
- Watkins scored five straight points to pull VCU within 35-27 with 15:16 remaining. The Rams were within 10, at 41-31 a short time later, but watched as the Tigers used an 8-2 burst, capped by back-to-back Malcolm Dandridge buckets, to build a 49-33 advantage with 7:56 on the clock The Rams could get no closer than 11 the rest of the way and trailed by as many as 22 points
- Memphis outscored VCU 36-18 in the paint, and the Tigers outrebounded the Rams 40-35
NOTABLE
- Memphis leads the all-time series between these two schools 5-3. The Tigers snapped VCU's two-game win streak in the series
- VCU forced 18 Memphis turnovers and recorded nine steals. The Rams also blocked three shots, including three by sophomore forward Jalen DeLoach
NEXT UP
VCU will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 26 when it hosts Kennesaw State at the Stuart C. Siegel Center at 4 p.m. That contest with air on MASN and ESPN+.
Â
