VCU’s Dominant 2nd Half Leads Them to Victory Over Loyola (Md.) on Hero’s Night (11-16-24)

By: Xavier Jones

Headline Photo Credit: Arturo Jones-LMS Network 

At the Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond, VA, on Saturday evening, the VCU Rams went up against the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds on their Hero’s Night. In this early season matchup, the Rams are looking to remain undefeated while Loyola Maryland would be eager to give them their first loss of the season. 

During the first half of this game, VCU and Loyola (Md.) were pretty much even across the board. Both teams traded baskets back and forth, with several ties and lead changes throughout the half. However, it was the Rams who were able to take a 6-point lead into halftime led by Joe Bamisile’s 14 points and Max Shulga’s 10 points. The first-half shooting for VCU wasn’t the best as they shot 38% from the field and 21% from deep. The same could be said about the Greyhounds as they shot 38% from the field and 44% from deep. Although both teams shot identically from the field in the first half, it was the 9 turnovers by Loyola (Md.) that put them in that 36-30 deficit at the half. 

Coming out of halftime with a six-point lead, VCU seemed to put their foot on the pedal and never let up until the game was over. The Rams’ defense held Loyola (Md.) to 29% shooting from the field and 30% from deep while outscoring them 47 to 27 in the second half. At one point in the second half, VCU had built their lead up to 30 points making the possibility of any comeback null and void. The Rams would capitalize off of their defense with the offense shooting 61% from the field and 42% from deep. VCU’s Jack Clark led the way by scoring 19 of his 25 points in the second half while shooting 100% throughout the half. The Rams controlled the game and never once trailed in the second half. VCU scored 21 points off of Loyola (Md.)’s turnovers, outscoring them 42-22 in points in the paint, 17-3 second chance points, and 17-2 in fast break points. These stats show you how VCU was getting easy and efficient buckets. Also, it shows how they were able to turn their defense into offense on several occasions with this show of dominance. 

The Rams had three players eclipse the 20-point mark in this game led by Jack Clark’s 25 points. Joe Bamisile chipped in with 22 points and Max Shulga added 20 points 10 Rebs and 7 assists. VCU’s next game is on Nov. 21st against Seton Hall and Loyola (Md.)’s next game is Nov. 19th against Boston College.

Here are a couple of clips from the post-game press conference with Rams’ coach Ryan Odom: