RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Commonwealth set a school record and tied a Colonial Athletic Association mark by burying 20 three-pointers in handing Towson its worst loss in 30 years as a Division I program when the defending league champion Rams defeated the Tigers 112-53 in the Siegel Center Wednesday night.
The 59-point margin was the biggest since William & Mary beat the Tigers by 63 points, 94-31, 62 years ago in 1948. The 112 points were the most surrendered in a game since a 120-73 loss at Maryland in 1994.
It was Towson's fourth loss in a row as the Tigers dropped to 4-16 and 1-9 in the league. It was their 11th setback in the last 12 games. VCU improved to 14-5 and 6-4 in CAA play. It was the Rams' 16th win over Towson in the 17-game series.
The Rams played like it was a skeet shoot at a track meet rather than a basketball game. VCU shot lights out in the first half, especially in the opening nine minutes when the Rams made 80 per cent of their attempts while racing to a 30-18 lead. Bradford Burgess led the way with two quick treys to open the game. Larry Sanders added a three-point play the old fashion way and just 50 seconds into the contest the Rams had a 9-0 lead.
Before the first 20 minutes expired VCU had a commanding 23-point lead, 55-32, on 65 per cent shooting. Burgess and Sanders combined for 27 points. Sanders already had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Burgess finished with a game high 22 points, making six of eight treys while playing just 14 minutes. Sanders put up 17 points and hauled in 14 rebounds in 19 minutes.
Seven different Rams hit a three-pointer. As a team VCU was 20 of 33 for a school record. It tied the CAA record set by Navy. VCU was 41 of 65 from the floor to post a 63.1% field goal percentage. The Tigers shot 36 per cent. VCU won the battle of the boards too, outrebounding the Tigers 46-21.
The Tigers ran into serious foul trouble early when leading scorer, forward Calvin Lee, picked up his fourth foul late in the first half. The Tigers were already thin on the front line with the CAA's leading rebounder and shot blocker, Robert Nwankwo, on the bench with a shoulder injury and not available. Towson was also still mssing starting point guard Brian Morris who is still sidelined with an ankle injury.
Lee was held to nine points and four rebounds for the night.
VCU started the second half in similar fashion with Burgess and Jamie Skeen burying three-pointers in the opening minute as the Rams simply ran away with the game. The biggest lead was 59 points reached first with 2:27 left in the game.
Despite a 45-point lead, 92-47, the Rams' continued their long range blitz, scoring their last five field goals from beyond the arc as they soared past the century mark to the delight of their home crowd.
Jarrel Smith and Josh Thornton led the Tigers with 12 points each. Isaiah Philmore added 11 points and a team high five rebounds.
Towson is back in action again this Saturday when the Tigers travel to UNC Wilmington to face the Seahawks. Opening tip is set for 6:00 p.m. The game will be carried on WTMD Radio (89l.7 FM) and broadcast live on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN).
