NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Behind a career-high 26 points from Treveon Graham and 13 three-pointers, the Rams took down 19th-ranked Memphis, 78-65, in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. HAVOC reigned supreme on the resort island, forcing the Tigers into 22 turnovers and notching 14 more steals. Sophomore Rob Brandenberg drilled a career-high five three-pointers in the victory.
From the tip, Havoc was on display, forcing turnovers from Memphis on four of their first six possessions as the Rams ran out 12-4 lead on back-to-back three-pointers from Graham and senior Troy Daniels.
More turnovers and more three-pointers, this time from Graham and Brandenberg, helped the Black & Gold claim its largest lead of the game at 16, 35-19, with 6:15 remaining in the first half.
Back-and-forth buckets sent the teams into the halftime break with VCU leading 42-28.
As expected, the Tigers didn’t go away quietly, fighting back in the start of the second half to get within three at 50-47 with 12:12 left.
That’s when Graham stepped up and hit a huge three-pointer and was fouled to push VCU’s lead back to seven at 54-47.
Once again, Memphis would respond, going inside and getting three straight buckets, including a jumper from Tarik Black that brought the Tigers within two at 63-61 with just over four minutes to play.
But once again, VCU answered with a huge layup from Graham and two back-breaking three-pointers from Brandenberg that ultimately sealed the deal and secured the 78-65 upset for the Black & Gold.
The Rams are now 5-3 against top-25 teams under Coach Smart and company.
VCU has now taken down a top-25 in each of Coach Smart’s four seasons at VCU.
For the first time in school history, the Rams hit 13 or more three-pointers in back-to-back games.
VCU is now shooting 55.3% from beyond the arc in the two games outside of the Siegel Center.
The Rams have now record 14 or more steals in three of their four games this season.
VCU takes on fifth-ranked Duke in the second round of the Battle 4 Atlantis. Game time in Nassau is set for 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Network.
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