Final
VCU opens season with win over Tennessee
Nov 15, 2014 - 1:31 PM Annapolis, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Melvin Johnson scored 20 of his 23 points in the first half, Treveon Graham contributed a double-double and the 15th- ranked VCU Rams opened the season with an 85-69 win over the Tennessee Volunteers at the U.S. Naval Academy.Graham finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Rams (1-0), who were upset by Stephen F. Austin in their NCAA tournament opener last season.
VCU played without starting point guard Briante Weber. The senior missed Friday's game while serving a suspension for a violation of team rules.
Josh Richardson and Detrick Mostella scored 17 points apiece for Tennessee (0-1), which lost in Donnie Tyndall's coaching debut. Tyndall arrived from Southern Mississippi after Cuonzo Martin left for California and inherited a program coming off a run to the Sweet 16.
The Rams led 48-30 at halftime, but the Vols closed within 72-64 on a Richardson layup with 5:37 remaining. Mo Alie-Cox answered with two free throws and Doug Brooks drained a 3-pointer from the left corner to push VCU's advantage to 77-64.
Johnson knocked down another trey from the left corner to make it 80-66 with just under two minutes remaining.
Game Notes
VCU sophomore guard JeQuan Lewis had to be helped off the court in the first half after his head hit the floor while he was fighting for a rebound ... The Rams won their ninth straight season opener and beat the Vols for the first time in five meetings ... There were a combined 62 personal fouls, including 34 called on Tennessee.
- TENNESSEE: 69
VCU: 85
Final
Nov 14 9:12 PM - TENNESSEE: 30
VCU: 48
Halftime
Nov 14 7:48 PM - TENNESSEE: 0
VCU: 0
1st Half - 20:00
Nov 14 6:42 PM
Related News
- RECAP: Vols pull away late, survive against Tarleton State 65-46 Dec 21
- Matt’s Monday Morning Bracketology Dec 19
- How Dalton Knecht must adjust after hitting ‘rock bottom’ Dec 18
- Zakai Zeigler: “I’m back.” Dec 17
- Tennessee vs. NC State: How to watch Dec 16
- Rick Barnes left frustrated with veteran players after Tennessee’s win over Georgia Southern Dec 13
- How to watch: Tennessee vs. Georgia Southern Dec 12
- Recap: Tennessee 86, Illinois 79 Dec 9
- Tennessee vs. Illinois: How to watch Dec 9
- Tennessee beats George Mason, 87-66 Dec 6
- Rick Barnes comments on Dalton Knecht’s injury Nov 30
- Vols hoops game RECAP: Slow start too much to overcome as Tennessee falls to North Carolina 100-92 Nov 29