Score: VCU 103, Wagner 74
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 1-0, Wagner 0-1
Attendance: 7,637 (Sellout)
 
The Short Story: Junior forward Lazar Djokovic poured in a career-high 21 points to lead six Rams in double figures as VCU raced past Wagner in its 2025-26 season opener before a sellout crowd at the Stuart C. Siegel Center Monday night.
 
OPENING TIP

• In his VCU debut, Djokovic, a transfer from Charleston, connected on 7-of-10 attempts from the floor, including several thunderous dunks and 2-of-3 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. He also corralled five rebounds and blocked two shots in 20 minutes of action
• Sophomore Brandon Jennings added a career-high 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Richmond native shot 6-of-9 from the floor and made the only 3-pointer he attempted
• Sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr. buried 4-of-8 three-point attempts and scored a career-high 17 points in just 20 minutes
• Junior Michael Belle added 12 points, while freshman point guard Nyk Lewis kicked in 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in his collegiate debut. Senior guard Jadrian Tracey also supplied 13 points and five rebounds for the Black and Gold
• Sam Smith paced the Wagner attack with 16 points 

THE DIFFERENCE

• After remaining neck-and-neck with the Seahawks for much of the first half, the Rams went on a 10-1 run to take a 41-33 lead with 2:08 left in the first half
• Early in the second half, the Rams went on a 14-0 run to extend their lead to 85-60. The run was capped off by a fast break dunk by Jennings off of a Seahawks turnover
• The Rams outscored the Seahawks 52-34 in the second half with Djokovic leading the way with 13 points in the frame 

NOTABLE

• The Rams were playing their first game under the leadership of Phil Martelli Jr., who led Bryant to the NCAA Tournament last season
• VCU scored 100+ points against a Division I opponent for the first time since Nov. 20, 2014, when they defeated UMES 106-66
• Six Rams scored in double figures for the first time since Dec. 10, 2023 against Alcorn State
• The Rams shined defensively with nine blocked shots and 10 steals

NEXT UP
VCU will travel to Frisco, Texas for a neutral-site matchup with the Utah State Aggies on Friday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. (EST). That contest will stream live on the Urban Edge Network.