Score: VCU 77, Richmond 57
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 18-7 (11-3 Atlantic 10), Richmond 17-10 (8-6)
 
The short story:  VCU used a strong second half to rout crosstown rival Richmond in the Richmond Area Honda Dealers Capital City Classic Friday night.
 
OPENING TIP 

• Senior forward Vince Williams Jr. and sophomore guard Ace Baldwin Jr. each scored 15 points apiece. Baldwin collected three rebounds, two steals, and a team-high five assists, while Williams added four rebounds and two assists
• Sophomore forward Mikeal Brown-Jones recorded a career-high 11 points for the Black and Gold. He shot 4-of-5 from the field
• Freshman forward Jalen DeLoach added seven points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds for VCU, while classmate Jayden Nunn added nine points
• Tyler Burton led Richmond with 13 points

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU shot 57 percent (17-of-30) and held Richmond to 8-of-23 shooting from the floor in the second half, outscoring the Spiders 49-29 in the half. The Black and Gold led by as many as 24 in the second half
• VCU held a 40-24 advantage in points in the paint and outscored Richmond 18-6 in bench pointsThe Rams and Spiders played a back-and-forth first half before Richmond used on a 6-0 run to take a 28-22 lead with 1:42 remaining in the half
• Freshman forward Nick Kern scored on a second-chance layup with 1:04 remaining in the half, sparking a 6-0 run for the Rams to tie the game at 28-28 heading into halftime

NOTABLE

• VCU has swept the regular season series from Richmond and now leads the all-time series 57-31
• VCU has won five in a row and extended its streak over Richmond to three
• VCU played without starting junior forward Hason Ward, who is recovering from a sprained left ankle
• The Rams took care of the ball, committing only eight turnovers on the night

NEXT UP
The Rams host George Mason on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. The game will air on MASN2 and ESPN+.