Virginia Commonwealth University took care of business on Thursday night, defeating Loyola University Chicago 89-75 at the Siegel Center. The Rams' victory was fueled by a strong performance from Terrence Hill Jr., who scored 24 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists. Hill Jr.'s effort was complemented by 15 points from Tyrell Ward and 14 points from Jadrian Tracey, as VCU's balanced attack proved too much for the Ramblers to handle.
The game was tightly contested in the first half, with both teams scoring 46 points to head into the break tied. However, VCU pulled away in the second half, outscoring Loyola Chicago 43-29 to secure the 14-point win. Miles Rubin was the bright spot for the Ramblers, posting a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Xavier Amos added 18 points and 8 rebounds.
The outcome was largely in line with expectations, as CHD Scout had predicted a 17.1-point victory for VCU. While the Rams fell just short of that margin, the win was still a convincing one, and it marked a successful tune-up for VCU ahead of its upcoming conference schedule. The predicted score of 84-67 was also close, with VCU's actual score of 89 just exceeding the projection.
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For VCU, the win was a Quadrant 4 victory, which may not carry significant weight in terms of resume-building, but it was still an important result for a team looking to build momentum. The Rams, now 16-6 on the season, want to carry this momentum into their next game. On the other hand, the loss was a Quadrant 1 opportunity for Loyola Chicago, which fell to 5-18 on the year. Despite the defeat, the Ramblers can take heart from their competitive performance, particularly in the first half.
As the season enters its final stretch, VCU want to solidify its tournament position. With a current net ranking of 49, the Rams are firmly in the mix for an at-large bid, but they must continue to perform well against quality opponents to boost their resume. The win over Loyola Chicago may not have been a marquee victory, but it was still an important one, and it sets VCU up for a crucial stretch of games ahead. For Loyola Chicago, the loss was a missed opportunity to pick up a high-quality win, and it must regroup and refocus if it hopes to make a late push for a tournament berth.