This game marked only the third match up in the VCU and Cleveland State University series, but there was history in the building for this meeting. The last time these teams met was the 1987-88 season at the Richmond Coliseum when CSU added their second win in a 73-68 victory. Current Assistant AD of Community Development Lionel Bacon was a sophomore on the Rams squad during that game and contributed 5 points and 3 assists. The Rams took to the floor on December 29th looking to add a 5th game to their current winning streak and give senior guard Briante Weber a 22nd birthday gift to remember and they were successful in their mission.
On the 57th consecutive sellout at the Siegel Center the tip off went to Briante Weber and Treveon Graham started a Ram streak with an early bucket. VCU took off on a quick 12-0 run and fans got comfortable with the lead. Then right before the end of the 5th minute the Vikings got on the board with a 3 point shot from Charlie Lee. CSU picked up their pace and started chipping away at the Rams lead until they tied at 22-22. CSU was able to remain close and then as the clock ticked down, the Rams found a second wind and began pulling away ending the first half with a 5 point VCU lead of 32-27.
The Vikings came into the second half confident and ready to play despite Graham again putting the Rams on the board first. Unfortunately for CSU right after Trey Lewis hit a 3 point shot the Rams answered with one of their own and Melvin Johnson started another VCU run. This time the Rams would take the lead up to 13 before the Vikings added another bucket to bring the score to 43-32. Again CSU started to try to chip away at the VCU lead but the Rams kept the pressure up and kept nudging it back to a 13 point buffer. JeQuan Lewis hit a 3 pointer, Terry Larrier made a free throw, and then Lewis added a layup to bring the score to 60-42 and give VCU their largest lead of the night at 18. The closest the Vikings would come was 8 points just before a pair of free throws (1-2) that would bring the final score to 72 -63 giving VCU their first victory in the series. This brings the Rams to 10-3 in non-conference play. Their first game will be as road warriors against Fordham on January 4th. Let the conference Havoc commence!
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