Score: VCU 84, Niagara 58
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 7-4, Niagara 2-9
Attendance: 7,637 (Sellout)
 
The Short Story: Junior forwards Lazar Djokovic and Michael Belle paced five Rams in double figures as VCU rode a strong second half to victory.
 
OPENING TIP

• Djokovic was a perfect 3-of-3 from the field and 11-of-11 from the free throw line in his 18-point performance. He also added seven rebounds and tied a career-high with four blocks
• Belle dropped in a career-high 15 points on a perfect 5-of-5 game from the field. He connected on 4-of-4 from beyond the 3-point line
• Freshman guard Nyk Lewis recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and a career-high 12 rebounds for the Rams
• VCU sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr. added 14 points with three assists and a steal
• Senior forward Barry Evans rounded out VCU's double-digit scorers with 10 points
• Sophomore guard Landon Williams led the Purple Eagles with 17 points and three 3-pointers

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU knocked down a season-high 16 three-pointers on 33 attempts (49 percent). The Rams also the Purple Eagles to a 25 percent  clip (5-of-20). Niagara was 0-of-7 from three in the second half
• The Purple Eagles remained neck-and-neck with the Rams throughout the first half, entering halftime down 37-34 and tying the game at 40 with 18:13 remaining. However, VCU took control of the game for good thanks to an 11-0 run to give them a 67-48 lead with 5:42 remaining
• VCU commanded the glass as they recorded nine blocked shots compared to Niagara's one. Djokovic led the way with four and Belle added two of his own
• The Rams took advantage of Purple Eagles miscues as they scored 16 points off of turnovers

NOTABLE

• The 16 made 3-pointers set a new season-high mark for the Rams. The previous high was 14 in their opening night victory over Wagner
• Belle had the first perfect performance from the field this season for a Ram with at least five field goal attempts. The last time VCU had such a performance was on Nov. 4, 2024 when Max Shulga went 6-of-6 from the field in a victory over Bellarmine
• Djokovic became the seventh Ram in school history to connect on at least 10 free throw attempts without a miss in a game and the first since Max Shulga finished 10-of-10 against Temple on Dec. 10, 2023

UP NEXT
The Rams remain home as they take on American on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. on MASN and ESPN+.