Virginia Commonwealth University's men's basketball team took to the Siegel Center floor on Sunday, hosting Saint Joseph's in a non-conference matchup. The Rams, predicted to win by 11.2 points according to CHD Scout, ultimately secured a 79-72 victory, albeit with a narrower margin than anticipated. Michael Belle led the charge for VCU, scoring 20 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, while Derek Simpson countered with 27 points for the Hawks.
The first half saw VCU take control, heading into the break with a 34-29 lead. The Rams' offense was paced by Belle, who had 12 points at halftime, and Brandon Jennings, who added 10. Saint Joseph's, meanwhile, relied heavily on Simpson, who scored 15 in the first half to keep his team within striking distance. The Hawks' Justice Ajogbor also made his presence felt, pulling down 7 rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.
In the second half, VCU continued to push the pace, with Terrence Hill Jr. taking over as the primary playmaker. Hill Jr. finished with 13 points and 8 assists, including several crucial baskets late. The Rams' lead ballooned to as many as 12 points with just over 5 minutes remaining, but Saint Joseph's refused to back down. A late surge, fueled by Simpson's continued scoring and Anthony Finkley's 10 points, brought the Hawks within 5 points with 1:30 left. However, VCU's free throw shooting and defensive stops sealed the win.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction proved correct, as VCU emerged victorious, but the actual score deviated from the predicted 70-58 outcome. The Rams' 79-72 win was a reflection of their resilience, as they withstood a strong performance from Simpson and a solid team effort from the Hawks.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For VCU, the win marks a Quadrant 4 victory, which, while not overly impressive, still contributes to their overall profile. The Rams, currently ranked 55th in the net rankings, want to build on this performance as they navigate their conference schedule. On the other hand, Saint Joseph's, despite the loss, can take solace in the fact that this was a Quadrant 1 game for them, indicating they were competitive against a superior opponent. The Hawks, currently 193rd in the net rankings, will aim to use this experience to fuel their own conference push.
As the season progresses, VCU must continue racking up wins, particularly in conference play, to solidify their tournament chances. With this victory, they take a step in the right direction, but the margin of victory was not as convincing as they may have hoped. Nevertheless, the Rams' performance, led by Belle and Hill Jr., demonstrates their potential to make a deep postseason run. For Saint Joseph's, the focus shifts to bouncing back from this defeat and proving they can compete with top-tier opponents, a task they will face again in the coming weeks.