Fans are back, Rams bushwhack Saint Louis The Commonwealth Times

Kyle Gilliam, Staff writer

The Rams defeated the Saint Louis University Billikens 78-62 in an A-10 conference game on January 14th.

This is the first game with fans back inside the Siegel Center since the water outage affected the city of Richmond. It is the first time the Rams have played in front of a home crowd in 23 days, according to VCU Athletics.

VCU head coach Ryan Odom praised the energy the fans brought to the game against SLU.

“We have one of the best crowds in the country, and certainly when we’re all here and together, it’s electric like it was tonight. It’s really fun to be a part of,” Odom said.

The Rams jumped out to an early 8-0 run after SLU third-year center Robbie Avila drained a three-pointer to start the game for the Billikens, their only lead of the game.

VCU freshman guard Phillip Russell would finish with a three-pointer 18 minutes into the first half.

VCU freshman guard Joe Bamisile would lead all first-half scorers with 17 points, including nine points in the first six minutes of the contest. Shoots 60% from the field and 80% from behind the arc. Bamisile converted a four-pointer and an opportunity at the 14-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.

Both teams shot the ball well from the three-point line in the first half. The Rams shot 41%, while the Billikens shot 57%, according to StatBroadcast.

The Rams maintained their lead by leaning on their depth throughout the first half. They outscored the Billikens bench 12-0 in the first half, led by third-year forward Christian Fermin, who scored six points.

The Rams would go into halftime up 47-42, led by Bamisile’s 17 points and VCU freshman forward Jack Clark, who scored nine points and three assists.

The defensive effort by the Rams was not up to the standard of the team, according to graduate student guard Max Shulga. Allowing eight three-pointers and committing ten personal fouls, Billikens shot 12-16 at the free throw line because of the fouls.

“We fouled a little too much in the first half, they shot like 23 free throws. I think most of them were in the first half,” Shulga said. “We tried to take care of just silly floor fouls, put them into the moment too quickly and just be more disciplined.”

The Rams would go on to outscore the Billikens 31-20 in the second half, led by their defensive effort. They stole the ball nine times during the second half, with Russell and Shulga each having three.

The most impactful steal came from freshman guard Brandon Jennings. After a made layup by Shulga, Jennings would steal the inbound pass and go to the corner in front of the Rams’ bench and drain a three that would be the centerpiece of a 10-0 second half run for VCU.

Jennings tied a career-high in points with 10, along with six rebounds and two steals, according to VCU Athletics.

Jennings said he would credit his preparation to his ability to capitalize on a big moment for his team.

“Just trusting my work is big, just knowing my time is coming and just continuing to train hard and continuing to work,” Jennings said.

The Rams cleaned up their foul problem in the second half, committing just five and holding the Billikens to just seven free throws.

VCU dominated on the offensive boards, outrebounding SLU 22-4, leading to 19 second chance drives for the Rams.

The Rams’ depth continued to dominate the Billikens in the second half, with VCU’s bench outscoring SLU’s 26-2.

The Rams will be back at the Siegel Center to face the Saint. Bonaventure University Bonnies Thursday, January 24th.