VCU defeats Niagara 84-58
VCU Dominates Niagara in Statement Win
In front of a raucous crowd at the Siegel Center, VCU delivered a convincing 84-58 victory over visiting Niagara, showcasing its dominance in a highly anticipated non-conference matchup.
The home team came out strong in the first half, with Lazar Djokovic leading the charge. The senior guard scored 18 points, including three treys, and was instrumental in sparking the Rams' offense. VCU's balanced attack proved to be too much for Niagara, which trailed by as few as four points at halftime.
The second half saw the Rams extend their lead, outscoring Niagara 47-25. Nyk Lewis added 12 points and 12 rebounds, while also dishing out four assists, to complement Djokovic's efforts. The senior forward's all-around performance was a testament to VCU's depth and resilience.
In contrast, Niagara struggled to find its footing on the road. Landon Williams led the Purple Eagles with 17 points, but his team shot just 50% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. Will Shortt provided some scoring punch off the bench, but it wasn't enough to overcome VCU's defensive effort.
The final margin of 26 points was a testament to VCU's dominance, with the Rams holding Niagara to just 35% shooting and forcing 10 turnovers. The victory marked a statement win for the Rams, who will look to build on this momentum as they head into the conference schedule.
Game Stats:
* VCU (HOME):
+ Field Goals: 27/54 (50.0%)
+ 2-Point FG: 11/21 (52.4%)
+ 3-Point FG: 16/33 (48.0%)
+ Free Throws: 14/21 (67.0%)
+ Rebounds: 37
+ Assists: 17
+ Turnovers: 10
+ Steals: 6
+ Blocks: 9
* Niagara (AWAY):
+ Field Goals: 23/65 (35.0%)
+ 2-Point FG: 18/45 (40.0%)
+ 3-Point FG: 5/20 (25.0%)
+ Free Throws: 7/8 (88.0%)
+ Rebounds: 35
+ Assists: 16
+ Turnovers: 10
+ Steals: 7
+ Blocks: 1