RICHMOND, Va. (Interstat) — VCU used a dominant second half to defeat Niagara 84-58 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Monday night at Siegel Center. The Rams led 37-34 at halftime but outscored the Purple Eagles 47-24 after the break. Lazar Djokovic led VCU with 18 points and four blocks. Landon Williams scored 17 points for Niagara, which lost its fourth straight. VCU improved to 7-4. Niagara fell to 2-9. An announced crowd of 7,637 watched the game.

RICHMOND, Va. (Interstat) — VCU used a dominant second-half performance and a barrage of three-pointers to pull away from Niagara for an 84-58 victory in nonconference men’s basketball Monday night at a sold-out Siegel Center. The Rams, improving to 7-4, connected on 16 of 33 attempts from beyond the arc, a 48.5% clip that proved far too much for the visiting Purple Eagles to overcome. Niagara, which fell to 2-9, struggled offensively all night, shooting just 35.4% from the field and 25% from three-point range. The game was competitive for much of the first half. After VCU’s Barry Evans opened the scoring with a three-pointer, Niagara responded with an 8-0 run, capped by a Landon Williams three-pointer, to take an early 8-3 lead. The Rams quickly regained control with their outside shooting, as Evans and Nyk Lewis hit consecutive threes to spark a 12-2 run. Niagara hung tough, however, with Kabeya Tshibangu providing energy off the bench with a pair of dunks. A Williams three-pointer with 3:49 left in the half brought the Purple Eagles within three points at 32-29. The final minutes of the first half proved critical. VCU closed the period on a 5-0 spurt, ignited by a Terrence Hill three-pointer and capped by a Hill layup just before the buzzer, to take a 37-34 lead into the break. That momentum carried decisively into the second half. VCU emerged from halftime with increased defensive intensity, forcing Niagara into difficult shots and capitalizing on the other end. The Rams opened the second half on a 12-4 run, extending their lead to 49-38. The surge was fueled by Michael Belle, who hit a three-pointer and converted a three-point play. Niagara’s offense, which managed only 24 points after halftime, could not find any sustained rhythm against VCU’s length and pressure. The Rams recorded nine blocks in the game, with Serbian center Lazar Djokovic swatting four shots. The Rams steadily expanded their advantage throughout the half. A 9-0 run midway through the period, featuring another Belle three and a Djokovic dunk, pushed the lead to 65-46. VCU’s offensive efficiency was stark, scoring 84 points on just 65 possessions for an elite offensive rating of 129.3. Niagara, by contrast, managed only 58 points on 67 possessions. Djokovic led all scorers with 18 points, adding four blocks and four rebounds. He was one of five Rams in double figures, joined by Belle with 15, Hill with 14, Lewis with 12 and Evans with 10. Lewis also contributed four assists. Williams led Niagara with 17 points, while Tshibangu added 10 points off the bench. Justin Page finished with 11 points for the Purple Eagles. The announced attendance was 7,637. VCU will host American on Thursday, while Niagara returns home to face Houghton on Saturday.

RICHMOND, Va. (Interstat) — The VCU Rams look to rebound from a narrow loss and capitalize on a home-court advantage when they host the struggling Niagara Purple Eagles in a non-conference men’s basketball game Monday night at Siegel Center. VCU (6-4) enters the contest after a tough 81-78 home defeat to New Mexico on Dec. 10. The Rams had won three of their previous four games, showcasing an offense that has scored 83 or more points in four victories this season. A key performer for VCU is guard Brandon Jennings, who is coming off a strong all-around effort with 13 points, six assists and three blocks in the loss to the Lobos. Niagara (2-8) seeks to halt a seven-game losing streak. The Purple Eagles fell 81-73 at Morgan State on Saturday and have faced a challenging early schedule, including a road loss at then-Duke. Their last win came on Nov. 10 against Delaware State. Forward Josiah Sabino has been a bright spot during the skid, averaging 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds over his last four contests. He posted eight points and nine rebounds in a Dec. 7 loss at Saint Peter’s. The Rams have dominated at home this season, boasting a 5-1 record at Siegel Center with an average margin of victory of 26 points in those wins. Niagara, conversely, is 0-7 in true road games. VCU’s pressure defense will test a Niagara team that has struggled to score, failing to reach 70 points in six of its eight losses. The Rams’ depth has been a factor, with players like Nyk Lewis (14 points vs. New Mexico) providing supplemental scoring. This matchup begins a busy week for both teams. VCU will host American on Thursday, while Niagara returns home to face Houghton on Saturday. Monday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. EST.