RICHMOND, Va. (Interstat) — The VCU Rams look to build on a decisive rivalry win when they host the Samford Bulldogs in a nonconference men’s basketball game Friday night at Siegel Center. VCU (5-3) enters having won three of its last four, including an 86-68 victory over Virginia Tech on Nov. 28. Terrence Hill led the way with 21 points in that game, supported by Barry Evans’ 17 points and five rebounds. Samford (4-5) seeks to rebound from a difficult 89-45 road loss at Utah Valley on Nov. 26. Isaiah Campbell-Finch scored 12 points in that defeat. The Bulldogs have shown resilience this season, with three of their wins coming in overtime. The Rams have been strong at home, winning three of four games in Richmond. Their offense has topped 100 points twice this season. Samford, conversely, has played eight of its first nine games on the road, with its only home contest a loss to Florida Gulf Coast. This matchup begins a key stretch for both teams. VCU will host New Mexico next Wednesday, while Samford returns home to face Cornell on Sunday. Friday’s game pits VCU’s Atlantic 10 pedigree against a Samford squad from the Southern Conference trying to steady its season. The Rams will aim to leverage their home-court advantage, while the Bulldogs need to find more consistent scoring after being held under 50 points in their last outing.