RICHMOND, Va. – The Samford men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought 75-65 decision at VCU Friday evening at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
 
With the loss, Samford fell to 0-2 on the young season. VCU improved to 1-1 with the win.
 
Samford was led by Jermaine Marshall with 20 points and 10 rebounds. A.J. Staton-McCray added 16 points for the Bulldogs.
 
For VCU, Max Shulga led the way with 17 points. Zeb Jackson scored 13 points for the Rams. Jason Nelson scored 11 points, while Christian Fermin added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Samford jumped out to an early 13-4 lead with 13:59 to go in the first half after a three-pointer by Marshall. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 17-6 at the 11:31 mark in the opening half following a free throw by Staton-McCray.
 
Samford led by 13 points at 25-12 with 7:09 left in the first half after another three-pointer by Marshall. With Samford leading, 30-19, VCU closed the first half on a 12-4 run to cut the Samford lead to 34-31 heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
The Bulldogs pushed their lead back out to eight points at 41-33 with 16:52 left in the second half after a dunk by Staton-McCray. VCU cut the lead to three points again at 43-40 at the 12:46 mark in the second half following a three-point play by Shulga.
 
VCU closed to within one point at 50-49 with 9:43 to play in the second half following a three-pointer by Jackson. The Rams took the lead for the first time at 56-54 with 7:02 left on a jumper by Fermin. VCU pushed its lead to six points at 62-56 with 4:29 left off a jumper by Michael Belle. Samford cut the lead to two points at 64-62, but VCU closed the game on an 11-3 run to close out the 75-65 Rams' win.
 
Samford will play its home opener for the 2023-24 season by hosting Mississippi College on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. start from the Pete Hanna Center.
 
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