RICHMOND, VA – The NJIT men's basketball team faced an early deficit against VCU as the Rams used several scoring runs to take control and secure an 87-49 victory Wednesday night at the Siegel Center.
After the Highlanders opened the contest with an early lead, VCU responded with a 14-3 run over a five-minute stretch, holding NJIT to just 1-of-10 shooting from the field. The Rams continued to build momentum, putting together another 13-2 run over four minutes midway through the first half to establish a double-digit advantage.
VCU extended its lead to as many as 20 points, capped by an 11-0 run, but the Highlanders worked to cut into the deficit before the break. NJIT closed the half with a stronger stretch, taking advantage of VCU's shooting struggles over the final minutes to trim the margin to 15, 43-28, at halftime.
Sophomore David Bolden helped lead the Highlanders offensively in the opening half, recording a team-high six points and three assists. VCU did much of its damage inside, scoring 20 points in the paint before the break.
The Rams carried their momentum into the second half, opening with a scoring stretch that pushed the advantage beyond 20. NJIT briefly found some offensive rhythm, with Bolden connecting from beyond the arc and redshirt freshman Brandon Stores Jr. and freshman Victor Vanderstraeten adding baskets. However, VCU responded and continued to extend its lead, eventually reaching its largest advantage of the night.
The Highlanders had difficulty finding their rhythm offensively down the stretch, finishing the second half 8-of-31 from the field and 1-of-11 from three-point range.
Vanderstraeten led NJIT with 10 points and eight rebounds, while Bolden finished with nine points and three assists. Sophomore trio of Mathéo Coffi, Rocco Awad, and Mario Tatum Jr. each added five points.
NJIT finished the contest shooting 25.0 percent (15-of-60) from the field and 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from three-point range. VCU shot 49.2 percent (29-of-59) overall and scored 44 points in the paint.
Next Up
NJIT stays on the road as the Highlanders take on Fairfield on Saturday, the 14th in Fairfield, Connecticut. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Leo D. Mahoney Arena.
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