Sitting atop the Atlantic 10 Conference and top 30 in the KenPom rankings, VCU has its eyes set on winning the A-10 championship and making it into the NCAA Tournament. Davidson was just another step in the road for the Rams, who won this game 80-56 and extended their undefeated home record to 15 on the season on Friday night.
VCU started the game firing on all cylinders, shooting out to a quick 16-1 lead, making six of its first seven and holding Davidson to zero field goals in the opening five minutes.
The Wildcats eventually found their groove as they flipped the script on the Rams only minutes later, going on a 10-0 run to keep the game close.
Both teams traded buckets for a few possessions, neither building much steady momentum or giving in.
VCU graduate forward Jack Clark came alive from 3 with eight minutes remaining in the first to ignite the Rams’ stagnant offense. Clark hit two consecutive 3s to spark an 8-0 run, before VCU freshman forward Luke Bamgboye scored twice to answer a Davidson 3.
“[Clark’s] been playing really well, and I feel like it is good to acknowledge how well he’s been playing,” Bamgboye said.
VCU’s Clark and Bamgboye almost single-handedly contributed to the 21-4 run to end the half, as they combined for six of the final eight made field goals for VCU.
The Rams entered halftime up 43-19. Clark led VCU in scoring with 14 on perfect shooting numbers, while VCU graduate guard Max Shulga led in assists (3) and rebounds (6). VCU shot an efficient 51% from the field and 50% from 3 while holding Davidson to only 25% overall and 17% from behind the arc.
VCU’s Bamgboye helped the Rams start hot in the second half, making two of the first three shots and bringing his scoring into double digits for the first time this season.
“He’s growing every day, and he’s consistent with his work,” VCU coach Ryan Odom said. “He’s gonna be a dynamite player.”
Davidson began to find more success as the second half progressed, however, making five straight field goals and holding VCU to three minutes without a made jumper.
The Wildcats continued to roll offensively on the back of a three-minute 11-1 run halfway through the second to bring the game to within 20.
The Rams showed some flashes on offense, but could not get anything to land consistently as they went nearly seven minutes without consecutive successful possessions.
Bamgboye would help regain the Rams’ hold on the game as he continued to showcase his offensive talent.
Bamgboye finished a putback through contact and converted the and-one free throw, before following that up with four more points to ignite a 14-5 run that VCU rode to the finish line.
VCU won emphatically over Davidson 80-56, marking their 19th win by more than double-digits this season. Clark led in scoring with 18 while Bamgboye and Shulga had career nights. Bamgboye finished with a career-high 17 points, and Shulga led VCU in rebounding with a career-high 11.
VCU graduate guard Zeb Jackson thinks Shulga should be A-10 Player of the Year when asked about the possibility of it.
“Not even a question,” Jackson said. “I don’t feel like I even need to answer that one, but I’ll just say yes so you have it on the record.”
VCU (24-5, 14-2 A-10) remains in first following this win and matches its win total from last season while extending its win streak to eight.
VCU will play its final road game against last year’s A-10 champions, Duquesne (12-16, 7-8), at the UMPC Cooper Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday.
