Christmas Comes Late for Rams

The Rams returned to action Wednesday night in the first-ever Richmond Downtown Marriott Holidays on the Harwood Classic. VCU (7-4, 1-0) tipped off against SoCon power and 2010 NCAA Tournament entry Wofford (5-6, 2-0) in the late game of a double header, which saw New Hampshire outlasting Cornell 68-66 earlier in the evening.

December 30, 2010; 9:42 AM • by William King

The first six minutes were a back and forth affair with Wofford taking an early 10-9 lead behind a Kevin Giltner three at the 14:33 mark. VCU went on a 9-0 run and was able to extend the lead to 21-14 with a three pointer by Brandon Rozzell at the 7:05 mark.

Joey Rodriguez hit a fall-away jumper with just under ten seconds to play to give the Rams a 33-24 lead, but Wofford’s Jamar Diggs hit a three pointer at the buzzer to send the Rams into the locker room with a 33-27 lead over the Terriers.

Wofford opened the second half with the first five points to make it a one-point game before the Rams hit a three for a 36-32 lead. The game continued to be back and forth for most of the second frame both teams unable to establish a lead in a game that featured four ties and seven lead changes.

Brandon Rozzell hit a 3-pointer with less than four minutes to go to break a 64-64 tie. The Rams never looked back scoring the final six points of the game to top the the Terriers of Wofford College 75-66.

Virginia Commonwealth shot 48.1 percent from the field (25 of 52) including 47.8 percent from the three point line 11-23). Wofford shot 46.9 percent (23-49) and 53.8 percent respectively.

Brandon Rozzell led the way for the Rams with 18 points. The senior hit four three pointers and was a perfect 6 for 6 from the free-throw line. Junior Bradford Burgess added 13 points, four rebounds and three assists while senior Joey Rodriguez contributed 10 points for the Black and Gold who improve to 8-4 on the year.

Noah Dahlman and Jamar Diggs led Wofford with 13 points each. Terry Martin added 12 points for the Terriers who fall to 5-7 on the year.

The Rams will face the Wildcats of New Hampshire in the championship game of the Holidays on the Hardwood Classic Thursday night at the Siegel Center.

Tip off is scheduled for 7:30pm.