Rams Make Statement with Largest Win in Rivalry History

Richmond, VA – The VCU Rams delivered a commanding performance against their crosstown rivals, the Richmond Spiders, securing a dominant 90-49 win. The Rams shot 64.7% from the field and 55% from three-point range while forcing 15 Spiders turnovers, which they converted into 25 points.

The 41-point victory marks the largest margin in the 94-game series history and the highest point total the Rams have scored this season. Max Shulga led VCU with 20 points, while Dusan Neskovic paced the Spiders with 12.

Richmond briefly held the lead early when B. Artis White completed a three-point play, giving the Spiders a 3-2 advantage with 17:55 remaining in the first half. However, it would be their only lead of the game. The Rams quickly responded with a 12-0 run, capped by a Joe Bamisile dunk, to go up 14-3.

VCU extended its lead as Zeb Jackson knocked down two free throws to finish a 6-0 run, pushing the score to 24-7. Jackson later added two three-pointers, Christian Fermin’s layup & Shulga drained another from beyond the arc as they went on an 11-0 run to close the first half, sending them into the break with a commanding 44-13 advantage.

Bamisile opened the second half with a three-pointer, extending VCU’s run to 14-0—its largest of the game—giving the Rams a 47-13 lead. Richmond attempted to respond as White’s jumper capped an 8-0 Spiders run, cutting the deficit to 47-21 with 17:40 remaining. However, VCU quickly regained momentum, with Shulga drilling a three-pointer to cap an 11-0 run and extend the Rams’ lead to 63-26.

The Rams maintained control for the remainder of the game, ultimately cruising to a 90-49 victory.

Now 17-5 overall and 7-2 in Atlantic 10 play, VCU will face La Salle on Tuesday, February 4, at the Siegel Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

How the Washington Commanders Can Defeat the Eagles and Reach Super Bowl LIX

The Washington Commanders Return to the NFC Championship

For the first time since the 1991 season, the Washington Commanders will play in the NFC Championship, facing their NFC East rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. This marks the fifth time two teams from the NFC East will meet in the NFC Championship. The last such matchup occurred in the 1986 NFC Championship, where the New York Giants defeated the then-Washington Redskins 17-0. In the previous four meetings, the home team has emerged victorious.

This will be the second postseason meeting between the Eagles and the Commanders. Washington defeated Philadelphia 20-6 in the 1990 Wild Card round.

The Commanders enter this game riding a seven-game winning streak, while the Eagles have won 14 of their last 15 games. The two teams split the regular-season series: Philadelphia won the first matchup in Week 11, defeating Washington 26-18, thanks to Saquon Barkley’s 146 rushing yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Washington claimed the second matchup in Week 16 with a thrilling 36-33 victory, overcoming a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit. In that game, Jayden Daniels threw five touchdowns, including three in the fourth quarter and a game-winning pass with six seconds remaining.

For the third installment of this storied NFC East rivalry, here are three critical keys the Commanders must execute to clinch a berth in Super Bowl LIX.

1. Control the Clock

The Commanders’ success this postseason has largely stemmed from their ability to dominate time of possession (TOP) and extend drives through third- and fourth-down efficiency.

In their Wild Card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Commanders controlled the ball for 35:26, converting 8 of 15 third downs and 3 of 5 fourth downs. In the Divisional Round win over the Detroit Lions, Washington maintained possession for 33:59, going 4 of 12 on third down and 3 of 4 on fourth down.

To defeat the Eagles, the Commanders must continue this trend. Sustaining drives and keeping the Eagles' potent offense off the field will be essential.

2. Jayden Daniels’ Mobility

A key factor in Sunday’s game will be quarterback Jayden Daniels’ ability to make plays with his legs.

In Week 11, Daniels was limited to just 18 yards on seven carries. However, in Week 16, he broke out for 81 rushing yards on nine carries. When Daniels is effective as a runner, it opens up the offense, creating opportunities for running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler to move the chains. It also forces the Eagles’ defense to second-guess his next move, making Washington’s offense less predictable.

3. Force Jalen Hurts to Be a Passer

For Washington to succeed, they must dictate the tempo and build an early lead. This would force Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to rely on his passing rather than his running ability.

In last week’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Hurts completed 15 of 20 passes for 128 yards. He also rushed for 70 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown on the opening possession. The Eagles excel in the run game, ranking second in time of possession with an average of 32:22 per game. Limiting Hurts’ ability to run and making him a passer will give Washington a better chance to control the clock and neutralize Philadelphia’s strengths.

While there are numerous factors that could influence the outcome, these three keys—controlling the clock, utilizing Jayden Daniels’ mobility, and making Jalen Hurts a passer—are interlinked. If the Commanders execute them effectively, they should find themselves punching their ticket to Super Bowl LIX.

Bamisile’s 23 Points & Key Runs Propel Rams Past Billikens in Atlantic 10 Showdown

(Richmond, VA) The VCU Rams won their third consecutive game on Tuesday night, defeating the Saint Louis Billikens 78-62. Joe Bamisile led the Rams with 23 points, while Isaiah Swope paced the Billikens with 18 points. The Rams' defense was a key factor, holding the Billikens to 32% shooting overall and a mere 20% in the second half. Additionally, they limited Atlantic 10’s top scorer, Gibson Jimerson, to just 11 points.

In the opening minute, Robbie Avila hit a three-pointer to give the Billikens a 3-0 lead with 19:32 remaining in the first half. However, the lead lasted only 22 seconds as Jack Clark responded with a three-pointer to tie the game. The Rams then extended their lead, fueled by a strong start from Phillip Russell, who capped an 8-0 run with another three-pointer, making it 8-3 with 18:12 left in the half. Joe Bamisile added a highlight play with a four-point conversion, stretching the Rams' advantage to 17-7 with 14:23 on the clock.

The Billikens battled back, with Isaiah Swope’s three-pointer trimming the Rams’ lead to 21-17. However, Bamisile’s layup with 6:20 remaining in the half restored momentum for VCU, giving them a 36-24 advantage—their largest lead of the half. The Rams headed into halftime with a 47-42 lead.

The second half began with Jimerson’s layup, cutting the Rams’ lead to three points at 47-44. VCU quickly responded as Jack Clark drained a three-pointer to cap a 7-0 run, extending the lead to 54-44 with 15:02 remaining. The Rams maintained their dominance, with Brandon Jennings (who scored a career-high 10 points) electrifying the crowd with back-to-back three-pointers. Max Shulga added a layup, and Joe Bamisile punctuated a 10-0 run with a thunderous dunk, pushing the lead to 66-51 with 10:17 left.

Michael Belle’s layup with 8:00 remaining gave the Rams their largest lead of the night at 70-53. From there, VCU comfortably controlled the game, sealing a convincing 78-62 victory.

The Rams, now 13-4 overall and 3-1 in Atlantic 10 play, will travel to Philadelphia to face Saint Joseph’s on Friday, January 17th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

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