Rams make history on Senior Night

Senior Night could not have been sweeter for VCU’s Jamal Shuler (Jacksonville, N.C./Jacksonville), Michael Anderson (Virginia Beach/Landstown) and Wil Fameni (Douala, Cameroon/Amelia Academy). Not only did they get a 72-58 win in front of a crowd of 7,241 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, they clinched the CAA regular season crown for the second consecutive season.

“We set out with that (the regular-season title) being a goal in the beginning of the year and to see it come to fruition today is a good feeling,” said VCU head coach Anthony Grant.

With the win, VCU is guaranteed a spot in the NIT if it were not to qualify to participate in the NCAA tournament.

The Senior Night festivities started before the game when Anderson, Fameni and Shuler were presented with framed jerseys. It was only fitting that Shuler made the first shot of the game. The rest of the first half was a back and forth battle. Wilmington jumped out to an early 27-18 lead with 5:09 left in the first half. But VCU countered with a 12-2 run powered by junior guard Eric Maynor (Raeford, N.C./Westover) to gain a one point half time lead.

The Rams stifling defense took over in the second half holding Wilmington to 36.5 percent shooting, including only 25 percent from 3-point range. The lead would get as big as 16 as the Rams pulled away for their 22nd win of the season.

After the game the seniors were treated to a video tribute marking their careers at VCU.

Making CAA history

The Rams also made CAA history by wining 30 CAA regular season games over a two-year period. The previous record was held by Wilmington with 29 wins. 

That was big not only for the seniors but for the team said Shuler, ”It meant a lot, not only for me, Mike and Wil, but for the whole team.”