Score: VCU 75, Maryland Eastern Shore 51
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 7-5, Maryland Eastern-Shore 2-8
 
The Short Story: Senior guard Max Shulga led five VCU players in double figures with 14 points and the Rams led wire-to-wire in a 24-point win over Maryland Eastern-Shore. The contest also marked the return of VCU senior forward Sean Bairstow, who provided 11 points and four rebounds in his first contest as a Ram.
 
OPENING TIP

• Shulga connected of 4-of-5 attempts from the field, including both of his 3-point attempts, and converted 4-of-4 at the free throw line
• Senior guard Joe Bamisile poured in 13 points off the bench for the Rams
• Sophomore forward Christian Fermin added 11 points, four rebounds and four blocked shots for VCU, while redshirt sophomore guard Jason Nelson dished out seven assists and did not commit a turnover.
• The Rams also received 12 points from graduate forward Kuany Kunay
• Tyler Mack led the owls in points with 12.

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU held UMES to 33 percent (19-of-57) shooting in the game, including 25 percent (5-of-20) from beyond the 3-point line
• The Rams shot 49 percent (27-of-55) from the floor in the contest
• VCU owned a 41-32 rebounding advantage and outscored the Hawks 40-24 in the paint
• VCU committed a season-low eight turnovers in the contest
• The Rams hit 15-of-32 shots in the first half on the way to a 37-23 lead at the break

NOTABLE

• VCU improved to 7-1 all-time against the Hawks
• The Rams have won three straight games, matching their season high
• All 11 Rams who saw the floor scored Friday

NEXT UP
VCU will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 30, when it hosts Gardner-Webb at 2 p.m. That game will be broadcast on MASN and ESPN+.