Hoops Roundup: VCU, George Mason, Longwood all race to season-opening wins

VCU hung a hundred on Wagner in the opening game of the Phil Martelli Jr. era as the Rams posted a 103-74 win on Monday night at the Siegel Center.

Junior forward Lazar Djokovic poured in a career-high 21 points (7-of-10 FG, 2-of-3 3FG) to lead six Rams in double figures.

Sophomore Brandon Jennings added a career-high 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Sophomore Terrence Hill Jr. buried 4-of-8 three-point attempts and scored a career-high 17 points in just 20 minutes.

Junior Michael Belle added 12 points, while freshman point guard Nyk Lewis kicked in 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in his collegiate debut.

Senior guard Jadrian Tracey also supplied 13 points and five rebounds for the Black and Gold.

George Mason posted a 70-46 victory over Wofford to open the 2025-2026 season Monday night inside EagleBank Arena.

Junior guard Kory Mincy dazzled for the Patriots in his first game in a GMU uniform, pouring in 18 points on just nine shots (6-of-9 FG, 4-of-5 3FG) while dishing out a game-high six assists.

Junior forward Riley Allenspach added 12 points (4-of-6 FG) and four rebounds, while senior guard Masai Troutman chipped in 10 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes.

Johan Nziemi had 16 points and 9 rebounds, Jacoi Hutchinson had 15 points and Jaylen Benard tied a career high with 14 points as Longwood launched its 2025-2026 men’s basketball season with a 92-55 win over D3 program Mary Baldwin Monday night – the first career head coaching victory for the Lancers’ new head coach, Ronnie Thomas.

Three returning Lancers were among the starters – Nziemi, Tucker and Emmanuel Richards – and all three contributed to a dominant inside game that overmatched Mary Baldwin.

Longwood outrebounded the Squirrels 48-21, scored 54 points in the paint and shot only nine three-pointers.

Raymond Benton led the way with 14 points for Mary Baldwin.