Alabama St. Hornets vs VCU Rams Box Score on Nov 25, 2019

Guard Marcus Evans scored 25 points to help No. 20 VCU improve to 6-0 for the first time with a 78-62 victory against Alabama State on Monday night in Richmond, Va.

Junior Marcus Santos-Silva had nine points and nine rebounds, and freshman Nah'Shon Hyland added 12 points for the Atlantic 10's Rams (6-0), who have won 17 consecutive games at the Siegel Center dating back to last season.

Evans hit 8 of 11 from the floor, including 5 of 7 from 3-point territory, while helping the Rams shoot 54.5 percent (12 of 22) from behind the arc.

Senior Tobi Ewuosho scored 17 points and redshirt junior Kevion Stewart added 14 points for the Hornets (0-5) of Southwestern Athletic Conference.

VCU led by as many as 21 points in the second half. The closest the Hornets got within was 61-49 with 9:01 left. The Rams then scored the next seven points over the next 1:49 to virtually secure the decision.

Evans' 18 points helped VCU grab a 46-28 halftime lead. The fifth-year senior shot 7 of 9 before the break, including 4 of 5 from behind the arc.

The Rams had far more fastbreak points (15-2) and outscored the Hornets in the paint 14-4 while committing only two turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

VCU forced Alabama State into 10 first-half turnovers that were turned into 13 points. The Hornets shot 33 percent overall in the half, 4 of 13 from long distance.

The Rams scored the final eight points -- two Evans hit two 3-pointers and a Hyland layup -- in the last 2:05 to build their largest lead.

VCU scored 12 straight points to turn a one-point deficit into a 32-21 advantage with 6:15 to go in the half. Mike'L Simms fueled the spurt with eight points, including five free throws.

VCU took its first lead, 15-14, when Hyland hit a 3-pointer at 13:02.

Alabama State is beginning the season with 15 straight games (11 road, four neutral) away from home and will not play at home until Jan. 11.

--Field Level Media