Score: VCU 70, George Mason 54
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 22-5 (12-2 Atlantic 10), George Mason 21-6 (12-2)
Attendance: 7,637 (Sellout)
 
The short story: Graduate guard Max Shulga poured in 22 points to lead three Rams in double figures and VCU used a strong second half to propel the Black and Gold into a share of first place in the Atlantic 10 win a victory over George Mason Saturday before a raucous sellout crowd at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING TIP

• Shulga knocked down 5-for-9 attempts from the field, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. He added five rebounds and two steals
• Graduate guard Jack Clark added 12 points and nine rebounds. Clark buried 2-of-4 from 3-point range
• VCU graduate guard Phillip Russell added 11 points, while classmate Zeb Jackson supplied six points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals
• The Patriots were led by K.D. Johnson and Darius Maddox who each scored 12. points

THE DIFFERENCE

• After being down 24-23 at the break, the Rams used a 15-0 run – punctuated by a Clark 3-pointer – to take a 42-29 lead with 14:08 remaining. VCU never trailed again
• VCU shot 52 percent (15-for-29) from the field and 41 percent (7-for-17) from three in the second half on the way to victory
• The Rams outscored the Patriots 20-9 off turnovers and owned a 12-4 advantage in second-chance points
• The Black and Gold owned a 37-36 edge on the glass
• VCU forced 14 turnovers and committed just nine

NOTABLE

• VCU has won six straight games to move into a first-place tie with the Patriots at 12-2. The Rams are 48-22 all-time against George Mason
• The Rams 70 points are the most George Mason has given up in regulation since its Jan. 11 contest against UMass

NEXT UP
VCU will visit crosstown rival Richmond in the Richmond Area Honda Dealers Capital City Classic on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Robins Center. The game will air nationally on CBS Sports Network