Score: VCU 73, Rhode Island 64
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 15-7 (8-3 Atlantic 10), Rhode Island 12-10 (3-7)
 
The short story: Senior guard KeShawn Curry scored a career-high 28 points and junior forward Hason Ward turned in his fifth career double-double to lead VCU over Rhode Island Tuesday night
 
OPENING TIP

• Curry scored 21 of his points in the first half and added five rebounds and two assists in the game. He connected on 9-of-11 shots from the floor, including 3-of-3 from 3-point range
• Ward scored 13 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and added an assist. He finished 5-of-6 from the field
• Freshman forward Jalen DeLoach scored eight points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds for the Black and Gold, while senior forward Vince Williams Jr. dished out a team-high seven assists
• Makhel Mitchell led Rhode Island with 12 points

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU held Rhode Island to .304 (7-of-23) shooting from the floor in the first half and ended the half on a 12-1 run to take a 41-24 lead heading into the locker room behind Curry's 21 points
• Rhode Island pulled within 10 points with 11 minutes to go, but VCU responded with four straight points from Ward as VCU closed out the game over the final stretch
• VCU led for 38:42 of the contest
• The Black and Gold shot .491 (26-of-53) from the floor and outscored Rhode Island 24-18 in points from turnovers

NOTABLE

• The game was Williams' first back after missing two contests with a strained calf
• VCU has won two straight against Rhode Island

NEXT UP
The Rams travel to Fairfax, Va. on Saturday, Feb. 12 to face George Mason for a 4 p.m. tip. The game will air on MASN2 and ESPN+.