Score: VCU 105, American 83
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 8-4, American 7-5
 
The Short Story: Hot-shooting VCU placed five players in double figures and topped the 100-point mark for the third time this season in a 105-83 victory over American Thursday at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING TIP

• Freshman guard Nyk Lewis guided the Rams with 14 points, four rebounds, a team-high six assists, and a team-high three steals
• VCU sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr. led the Rams with a game-high 17 points off the bench, knocking down three 3-pointers while grabbing five rebounds
• Junior forward Lazar Djokovic chipped in with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field for the Black and Gold, while graduate guard Jadrian Tracey knocked down 4-of-5 attempts from beyond the arc and finished with 12 points
• Sophomore guard Brandon Jennings rounded out VCU's double-digit scorers with 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists
• American was led by Wyatt Nausadis with 17 points, while Geoff Sprouse chipped in 16 on five made 3-pointers

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU's shooting efficiency carried the day. The Rams shot a season-high 57 percent (38-of-67) from the floor, including 44 percent (12-of-27) from 3-point range. American shot 40 percent (25-of-62) for the game
• VCU controlled both the interior and open floor, outscoring the Eagles 48-20 in the paint and 21-8 on the fast break
• The Rams shot 59 percent (20-of-34) in the second half to turn a 13-point halftime advantage into a 22-point victory
• The Black and Gold owned a 43-26 rebounding advantage and turned 15 offensive rebounds into 23 second-chance points
• VCU's depth proved decisive, as the Rams' bench poured in 48 points while American's reserves contributed 16

NOTABLE

• VCU's 105 points were its most since a 106-66 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore here on Nov. 20, 2014
• The Rams have topped the century mark three times this season, the first VCU team to do so since the 1990-91 campaign
• The 188 combined points marked the highest total in a VCU game since 2010 against UNC Greensboro
• VCU converted 17-of-18 free throws (94 percent) on the night

UP NEXT
The Rams remain home as they take on Rider on Monday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. on MASN and ESPN+.