VCU Overpowers La Salle with Second-Half Surge

Richmond, VA – Following a 41-point victory over the Richmond Spiders, the VCU Rams returned to the Siegel Center on Tuesday evening, defeating the La Salle Explorers 96-66. Joe Bamisile led the Rams with 17 points, while Tunde Valberg Fasasi paced the Explorers with 11 points.

La Salle briefly held the lead early as Daeshon Shepherd connected on a three-point play, putting the Explorers up 3-0. The Rams responded with an 8-0 run fueled by a pair of three-pointers from Jack Clark and Max Shulga, along with a layup by Joe Bamisile, giving VCU an 8-3 lead with 16:48 remaining in the first half. The Explorers countered as Mac Etienne’s layup capped a 6-0 run to put La Salle ahead 9-8. Daeshon Shepherd’s layup with 12:08 remaining in the first half tied the game at 16.

VCU quickly regained control with a 13-0 run sparked by Brandon Jennings, who scored five points during the stretch, pushing the Rams ahead 29-16. They maintained their advantage throughout the first half, taking a 48-28 lead into the break.

The Rams continued their dominance in the second half, scoring 19 consecutive points to extend their lead to 77-38 with 11:26 remaining. Terrence Hill Jr.’s three-pointer gave VCU its largest lead of the night at 85-45. The Rams controlled the game the rest of the way, ultimately cruising to a 96-66 victory.

Now 18-5 overall and 8-2 in Atlantic 10 play, VCU will face Dayton on Friday, February 7, at UD Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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