Score: VCU 102, St. Mary's (Md.) 44
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
 
The short story: Graduate guard Joe Bamisile poured in a game-high 26 points as VCU bulldozed St. Mary's (Md.) in an exhibition Monday night at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING TIP

• Bamisile knocked down 10-of-12 attempts from the field, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range in just 19 minutes of action to lead six double-digit scorers for the Rams
• Freshman guard Terrence Hill Jr. provided 13 points, five rebounds and three assists to the VCU attack. He connected on 5-of-9 attempts from the floor
• Transfers Phil Russell (UT-Arlington) and Jack Clark (Clemson) added 10 points each for the Black and Gold. Clark swiped a game-high five steals
• Graduate guard Max Shulga added 10 points and eight rebounds, while redshirt sophomore guard Fats Billups III chipped in 10 points and four rebounds
• Tjay Beckles scored 13 points to lead the Seahawks

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU led wire-to-wire and shot 51 percent (35-of-69) from the floor, including 43 percent (15-of-35) from 3-point range. St. Mary's connected on just 30 percent (14-of-46) of its attempts from the field
• The Rams owned a 50-23 rebounding advantage, including 20-7 on the offensive glass. VCU outscored the Seahawks 29-2 in second-chance opportunities
• The Black and Gold forced 23 turnovers and turned those miscues into 30 points

NEXT UP
VCU will officially open its 2024-25 season on Monday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. against Bellarmine at the Siegel Center. That game will be televised by MASN and ESPN+.