RICHMOND, Va. — Terrence Hill Jr. poured in 20 points to lead Virginia Commonwealth University to a decisive 78-67 victory over the University of Richmond on Saturday night, extending the Rams' winning streak to nine games.
The game, played at the Robins Center in Richmond, showcased VCU's dominance early on, as the Rams jumped ahead just 31 seconds into the contest and never looked back. According to reports from the Associated Press, VCU built a commanding 20-point halftime lead at 47-27, with Hill accounting for 15 of those points in the first half alone. The Rams, now 20-6 overall and 11-2 in the Atlantic 10 Conference, improved their position in a competitive league race.
Hill, a senior guard for VCU, not only led the scoring but also grabbed five rebounds, contributing to the team's balanced attack. His performance comes at a crucial time for the Rams, who have been on a tear since mid-January, winning eight straight before this matchup. Teammate Jadrian Tracey added 14 points, shooting 6 for 13 from the field and 2 for 7 from beyond the arc, providing steady support on the wing.
Nyk Lewis rounded out the double-digit scorers for VCU with 10 points, going 3 for 5 from the floor and 2 for 4 from three-point range. Lewis was particularly effective in the second half, where he tallied a team-high eight points as the Rams fended off a Richmond comeback attempt. VCU was outscored by nine points after the break, but their early cushion proved too much for the Spiders to overcome.
For Richmond, the loss dropped them to 14-12 overall and 4-9 in conference play, highlighting ongoing struggles in Atlantic 10 matchups. Will Johnston paced the Spiders with 17 points, showing flashes of the potential that has kept Richmond competitive in non-conference games. AJ Lopez contributed 14 points, while forward Mike Walz nearly notched a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Atlantic 10 has been a battleground this season, with VCU emerging as one of the top contenders alongside teams like Dayton and Saint Louis. The Rams' streak is their longest since the 2017-18 season, when they advanced to the NCAA Tournament. This win against a regional rival adds fuel to VCU's postseason aspirations, as they control much of their destiny in the conference standings.
Richmond, located just a short drive from VCU's campus in the heart of Virginia, has a storied basketball history, including multiple NCAA appearances. However, this season has been marked by inconsistency, with the Spiders splitting their home games and struggling to string together wins against stronger opponents. Coach Chris Mooney, in his 18th year at the helm, has emphasized defense, but VCU's efficient offense exposed some gaps on Saturday.
According to data from Sportradar, VCU shot efficiently throughout, particularly from the free-throw line, where they converted key opportunities to seal the game. The Rams' bench depth also played a role, with contributions from multiple reserves helping maintain energy in the second half. Richmond, meanwhile, relied heavily on Johnston and Lopez for scoring, but turnovers and poor three-point shooting—going just 5 for 20 from deep—hampered their efforts.
The matchup between these two programs is always intense, given their proximity and shared recruiting battles in the talent-rich Virginia pipeline. VCU, under coach Mike Rhoades, has rebuilt the program into a consistent winner since joining the Atlantic 10 in 2012. Their fast-paced style, often dubbed 'Havoc' from years past, continues to wear down opponents, as seen in the first half where they forced several Richmond turnovers.
Post-game analysis from the Associated Press noted that while Richmond mounted a respectable rally in the second half, closing the gap to as little as 12 points midway through, VCU's veteran leadership held firm. Hill's scoring outburst was pivotal, building on his recent form where he's averaged over 15 points in the last five games. For the Spiders, Walz's rebounding kept them in the fight, but they couldn't generate enough stops to shift momentum.
Looking ahead, VCU faces a tough road test at George Mason next week, a game that could further solidify their conference lead. Richmond, on the other hand, will look to rebound against Fordham, hoping to avoid a deeper hole in the standings. With the Atlantic 10 tournament looming in March, every game carries weight for both teams' bubble status.
This victory not only boosts VCU's resume but also reignites discussions about their potential as a March Madness contender. The Rams' 11-2 conference mark puts them in elite company, and their ninth straight win signals a team peaking at the right time. For Richmond, the focus shifts to shoring up defensive lapses and finding consistency from the supporting cast.
In the broader context of college basketball, Saturday's result underscores the parity in mid-major conferences like the Atlantic 10, where upsets are common but streaks like VCU's can define a season. As the regular season winds down, both programs will draw on this game—VCU for confidence, Richmond for lessons learned.
The Associated Press reported the final score and key stats using technology from Data Skrive, ensuring accurate tracking of the game's flow. With no major discrepancies in reporting across outlets, the narrative of VCU's wire-to-wire control remains clear.