It’s not entirely clear why VCU would need to play a D2 team in the regular season, but that happened, and the Rams, predictably, dominated Elizabeth State in a 103-58 win on Friday at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
Before the game, VCU paid tribute to former Ram Joey Rodriguez, whose jersey was retired prior to tip-off.
Rodriguez, who starred at VCU from 2007-11 and led the team to the 2011 Final Four, scored more than 1,300 points as a Ram and ranks third in school history in both assists and steals.
In the game, graduate guard Phillip Russell led all scorers with 18 points for the Rams. He connected on 4-of-9 from beyond the 3-point arc in just 18 minutes of play.
Freshman guard Terrence Hill Jr. supplied a season-high 16 points – all in the second half – for the Black and Gold.
The Rams also received 14 points and three assists from graduate guard Zeb Jackson.
Reggie Raynor led ECSU with 11 points.
VCU coach Ryan Odom picked up his 200th career win Friday. He is 200-122 in 10 seasons as a head coach, including 30-16 with the Rams.