Richmond Arena Honda Dealers Capital City Classic
Score: VCU 78, Richmond 67
Locations: Richmond, Va. (Robins Center)
Records: VCU 20-6 (11-2 Atlantic 10), Richmond 14-12 (4-9)
 
The short story: Sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr. scored a game-high 20 points, including a critical, late 3-pointer, and VCU held off a furious second-half rally by Richmond to complete a regular season sweep Saturday at the Robins Center.
 
OPENING TIP

• Hill knocked down 4-of-10 from 3-point range for the Black and Gold and added five rebounds and three assists
• Senior guard Jadrian Tracey added 14 points for the Rams on 6-of-13 shooting
• Freshman guard Nyk Lewis and junior guard Tyrell Ward added 10 points apiece for VCU. Lewis grabbed four rebounds
• Will Johnston led the Spiders with 17 points, including 12 in the second half

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU shot 46 percent (15-of-33) in the first half, while limiting Richmond to 5-of-25 shooting, on the way to a 47-27 halftime lead. The Rams extended their lead to 53-30 on a Tracey 3-pointer with 18:21 remaining
• Richmond used an 11-0 run, capped by a Jaden Daughtry layup, to trim the Rams' advantage to 53-41 at the 15:47 mark, setting the stage for a tight finish. The Spiders eventually pulled within 64-62 on a bucket by AJ Lopez with 6:06 on the clock. While the Rams bent, they did not break. A floater by junior forward Michael Belle on VCU's ensuing possession provided a four-point cushion. A short time later, Hill buried a 3-pointer from the left wing to give the Black and Gold a 72-65 edge with 1:55 left. UR could get no closer than five the rest of the way
• On the night, VCU held Richmond to 35-percent (19-of-55) shooting, including 5-of-22 from 3-point range
• The Rams also owned a 41-32 rebounding advantage 

NOTABLE

• The Rams have won nine straight games
• VCU completed a regular season sweep of the Spiders with Saturday's win and improved to 64-33 all-time against UR
• Hill, making his second start of the season, recorded his fifth 20-point performance of the season
• Belle supplied seven points, 10 rebounds and a block off the bench for the Rams 

NEXT UP
VCU will host George Washington on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. That contest will air nationally on CBS Sports Network.