Score: VCU 80, UMass 51
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 21-5 (11-2 Atlantic 10), UMass 11-16 (6-8)
 
The short story: The Rams were led by graduates Jack Clark and Max Shulga on the offensive end and anchored by freshman Luke Bamgboye on the defensive side en route to a 29-point victory over the visiting Minutemen.
 
OPENING TIP

• Clark scored 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 5-for-6 shooting from 3-point range. His 17 points are the second most of his VCU career and the most he's accounted for in conference play
• Bamgboye blocked a career-high seven shots on the night and added three rebounds
• Shulga poured in 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including a first half 5-for-5 performance from beyond the arc. Shulga added a team-high seven assists and five rebounds as well
• Joe Bamisile tied Shulga for a game-high 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting and accounted for a team-high six rebounds and two blocks
• Junior Christian Fermin added eight points and three rebounds for the Black and Gold
• Senior Forward Daniel Rivera scored 15 points to lead the Minutemen

THE DIFFERENCE

• The Rams shot 14-of-29 from 3-point range, while UMass missed all 10 of its attempts in the game. It's the first time this season the Minutemen have not connected on a 3-point attempt
• VCU shot 53 percent (18-of-34) in the first half to earn a 24-point lead at the break and never looked back
• The Rams committed just eight turnovers in the contest and outrebounded UMass 42-40

NOTABLE

• Bamgboye's seven blocks are the most since Larry Sanders' recorded seven on March 9, 2009 against George Mason
• The Black and Gold owned an 11-0 advantage in blocks over the Minutemen as well as a 12-0 advantage in fast break points
• The Rams lead for 39:00 of the contest compared to UMass' 35 seconds
• The Minutemen's 22 first half points are the second lowest the Rams have allowed in conference play, only behind the 13 they surrendered to Richmond on Feb. 1
• VCU extends its all-time record to 11-4 against UMass and has won all 13 of its home games this season

NEXT UP
The Rams next host George Mason on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. in a tilt for first place in the Atlantic 10. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network.