Score: VCU 92, James Madison 87 – OT (Exhibition)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
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The short story: Junior guard
Blake Harper poured in 11 of his game-high 30 points in overtime to help VCU hold off James Madison Sunday in an exhibition contest at the Siegel Center.
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OPENING TIP
- Harper reached the 30-point mark on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range. He also connected on 8-of-10 free throws and corralled a team-best nine rebounds
- Junior guard Ahmad Nowell added 10 points and knocked down 2-of-4 from beyond the arc for the Rams
- Three other players supplied nine points each for the Black and Gold, including senior forward Michael Belle, who also provided seven rebounds and a pair of blocked shots
- K.J. Windham led the Dukes with 23 points and four assistsÂ
THE DIFFERENCE
- Harper opened the extra period with a 3-pointer from the left corner. A short time later, JMU knotted the score up at 84-84, but Harper responded with another triple as VCU retook the lead with 2:02 remaining. Harper added a floater moments later to give the Rams a little breathing room at 89-84 with 48 seconds left. He added three free throws down the stretch to help cement the win
- VCU shot .481 (26-of-54) from the floor in the game, including .450 (9-of-20) from 3-point range. The Rams also connected on 31-of-40 free throws
- The Rams led by 10 with 3:56 remaining in regulation, but a furious rally by the Dukes, capped by a game-tying reverse layup by Windham with 22 seconds showing, sent the game into overtime at 77-77
- JMU led 26-17 at the 8:06 mark of the first half, but a 13-3 VCU burst, punctuated by a 3-pointer by junior guard Nyle Ralph-Beyer, provided the Rams with a 30-29 advantage with 3:09 left in the period
- James Madison shot just .366 (26-of-71) from the field, but was able to keep pace with 14 three-pointers
NEXT UP
Sunday's exhibition was the Rams' final tune-up of the preseason. The Rams will officially open the 2026-27 campaign on Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. versus Little Rock. That contest will air locally on CW Richmond and will stream on ESPN+.
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