PHILADELPHIA — The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rams took a strong victory over Saint Joseph’s (PA) on Friday night, winning the game 78-69, with Jack Clark playing a crucial role by contributing 18 points.
In addition to his scoring, Clark also secured seven rebounds, showcasing his all-around performance for the Rams, who now hold a record of 14 wins and 4 losses, including 4 wins and 1 loss in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Phillip Russell supported the team’s effort with 16 points, making a remarkable 7 out of 10 attempts, and displayed his shooting precision from beyond the arc with 2 out of 3 successful 3-pointers. Max Shulga also made his mark on the game, netting 14 points, although he faced some challenges shooting, going 3 for 13 overall but managing to convert 6 of 9 attempts from the free-throw line.
For Saint Joseph’s (PA), Xzayvier Brown led the team with a strong performance, totaling 22 points along with seven rebounds and five assists. Rasheer Fleming was another key player for the Hawks, contributing 16 points and pulling down 14 rebounds, demonstrating his impact in the paint. Erik Reynolds II also chipped in with 12 points, trying to help his team close the gap.
VCU went into halftime with a slight edge, leading 38-32, and it was Shulga who led the scoring for his team during the first half with 12 points. The critical moment of the game came when Clark hit a decisive 3-pointer with just 5:36 left in the second half, placing VCU ahead at 63-60 and securing the lead for the remainder of the contest.
Looking ahead, both teams are slated to continue their season on Tuesday. VCU is set to travel to Rhode Island, while Saint Joseph’s (PA) will compete against Davidson on the road.