RICHMOND, Va. – Manhattan outshot VCU from the field, 3-point range, and the free throw line, but VCU was able to come away with a 73-56 win in the season opener for both teams.
Head coach
RaShawn Stores said postgame, "It was great to be back out there with our young men and start our process and journey." Stores added, "As long as we continue to grow day-by-day and game-to-game, that is all that matters. I was proud of how we stayed together after the adversity over the last two weeks."
Manhattan (0-1) shot 51-percent from the field, 35-percent from 3-point range, and 64-percent from the free throw. VCU (1-0) shot 42-percent from the field, 33-percent from behind the arc, and 57-percent from the charity stripe.
After seeing VCU build a double-digit lead, Manhattan battled back to cut the deficit to two, 21-19, with 9:14 to play in the opening half. That came off a 9-0 run by the Jaspers in less than two minutes.
Elijah Buchanan supplied five points to the stretch. Buchanan finished the night with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
The Rams responded with an 11-2 run to restore the double-digit lead. A 9-0 run by the Rams ended the opening half with a 48-30 lead.
In the second half, Manhattan outscored VCU 26-25, and the Jaspers prevented the Rams from connecting on a 3-pointer over the final 20 minutes after hitting eight in the opening half.
The Jaspers chipped away at the lead and got as close as 12 in the second half.
Josh Roberts dunked one home off a wrap-around feed from
Ant Nelson with 6:52 to play in regulation. Roberts finished with 14 points on 7-of-7 from the field and eight rebounds.
VCU had four players in double figures, led by Adrian Baldwin Jr. with 15 points.
The Jaspers return to action on Friday, Nov. 11, for the home opener against Central Connecticut State inside Draddy Gymnasium.
