Richmond, VA(Sports Network) - Treveon Graham finished with 19 points, eight
rebounds, and three steals as the Virginia Commonwealth Rams held off the
Belmont Bruins for a 75-65 victory in a non-conference tilt at the Siegel
Center.
Juvonte Reddic added 17 points and nine boards for VCU (5-3), which picked up
its second win in a row. Rob Brandenberg chipped in 14 points and Melvin
Johnson scored 11 off the bench.
Belmont (5-2) was unable to stay undefeated in road games despite Ian Clark
making all 10 of his field goal attempts including three from beyond the arc
for a game-high 24 points. Kerron Johnson tallied 11 points and six assists in
the loss.
VCU was trailing 15-14 with just over 11 minutes to play in the first half,
but it generated a 25-3 run to help build a 39-21 lead heading into the break.
The Bruins committed 17 turnovers in the opening frame and they also trailed
in the rebounding battle, 20-12.
Belmont played much better after halftime, as it connected on 58.1 percent of
its field goals including 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. The Rams stayed in
front despite making only 4-of-8 attempts at the free throw line in the final
20 minutes of action. The Bruins attempted to rally back multiple times in the
second half, but they could get no closer than five points.
Although Belmont shot 54 percent from the field and limited VCU to 46.7
percent shooting, the Rams managed to win by outscoring the visitors 15-4 at
the foul line.
GAME NOTES:
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