Score: VCU 89, Georgia Southern 54
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 7-2, Georgia Southern 5-4
 
The short story: Graduate guard Max Shulga tied a career high with 29 points to lead VCU in a 35-point thumping of Georgia Southern Wednesday at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.  
 
OPENING TIP

• Shulga buried 7-of-10 attempts from the field, including 6-of-8 from beyond the 3-point arc on the way to the 12^th 20-point game of his collegiate career
• Graduate guard Phillip Russell poured in 17 points and shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line for the Black and Gold
• Redshirt sophomore guard Fats Billups III provided a spark off the bench with 14 points and six rebounds for the Rams. He knocked down 4-of-5 attempts from long range
• Freshman forward Luke Bamgboye had his most productive outing as a Ram, totaling a season-high five blocks, as well as four points and four rebounds
• Georgia Southern was led by Eugene Brown III, who totaled 13 points for the visiting Eagles

THE DIFFERENCE

• The Rams outscored the Eagles 50-23 in the second half behind a defensive effort that saw VCU hold the Eagles to 20 percent (6-of-30) shooting in the period, including 3-of-11 from 3-point range
• VCU held Georgia Southern to just 30 percent (18-of-60) shooting from the field overall Wednesday, including 6-of-21 from the 3-point line
• The Rams opened the second half with 12-1 run that was sparked by a Joe Bamisile 3-point jumper. Shulga notched five of his game-high 29 points during the opening second half run
• In the opening 8:22 of the game, Shulga knocked down 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, scoring nine of the Rams' first 11 points

NOTABLE

• The Eagles' 23 second half points were lowest they have notched in a single half through nine contests this season
• Shulga's previous high scoring output as a Ram was 26 points on Feb. 16 last season at Saint Louis Saint Louis
• Bamgboye is averaging 7.6 blocks per 40 minutes this season

NEXT UP
The Rams will host Penn on Monday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Siegel Center. The game will air on MASN and ESPN+.