Saint Louis Billikens Defeat VCU Rams 71-62
Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Siegel Center
Saint Louis Billikens 71, VCU Rams 62, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Saint Louis Billikens vs VCU Rams?
Saint Louis Billikens beat VCU Rams 71-62 at Siegel Center on January 7, 2026.
Who was favored in Saint Louis Billikens vs VCU Rams?
VCU Rams were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -135 (about 57% implied). The underdog won.
In a significant matchup in the NCAAB, the Saint Louis Billikens secured a 71-62 victory over the VCU Rams at the Siegel Center. This win extends Saint Louis's impressive away record to 15-1, while VCU's home record now stands at 11-6. The Billikens have been on a remarkable run, boasting a seven-game winning streak, which has seen them average 101.2 points over their last five games, while allowing just 63.8.
The game unfolded with both teams demonstrating their offensive capabilities, but it was the Billikens who ultimately took control in the second half. The scoring plays were pivotal, with Ahmad Nowell making a crucial driving layup that put Saint Louis ahead for good. Following that, Amari McCottry hit a 23-foot three-point jumper, extending the lead to 64-62. The momentum shifted firmly in favor of the Billikens as they continued to capitalize on their opportunities, with Robbie Avila and Brady Dunlap contributing to the scoring, culminating in a series of free throws that sealed the game.
VCU had been in solid form leading up to this game, recording an 8-2 record in their last ten outings, including a five-game winning streak. They averaged 87.0 points scored while allowing 74.3 during this stretch. However, their performance against Saint Louis fell short of these averages, as they struggled to keep pace with the Billikens' offensive onslaught.
The Billikens, on the other hand, have been formidable, with a 9-1 record in their last ten games prior to this matchup. Their scoring average of 94.3 and a defensive average of 66.2 during this stretch highlights their balanced approach to the game. They have been particularly dominant at home, with an 8-1 record, but their performance on the road has also been commendable, now standing at 2-0.
In terms of previous meetings, this game marked the third encounter between these two teams in the current season, with the Billikens now leading the head-to-head record 2-1. Their earlier matchups included a 78-62 victory for VCU and a subsequent 69-78 loss, showcasing the competitive nature of this rivalry.
Injuries did not play a significant role in this game, with both teams fielding their key players. The market had set the odds with VCU as a 1.5-point favorite, according to DraftKings, indicating a close contest was expected. The total was set at 171.5, reflecting the anticipated high-scoring nature of the game.
Conditions during the game were typical for a January evening, with no adverse weather affecting play, allowing both teams to focus on their strategies. Viewers were treated to a display of athleticism and skill as both teams fought for control, but it was the Billikens who executed their game plan more effectively in the critical moments of the second half.
Overall, this matchup highlighted the contrasting styles and recent performances of both teams, with the Billikens emerging victorious and solidifying their position as a formidable contender in the league.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | VCU -1.5 | 171.5 o -105 / u -115 | Saint Louis Billikens +114 · VCU Rams -135 |
Leaders
- PointsTerrence Hill Jr.17VCU Rams
- AssistsTerrence Hill Jr.2VCU Rams
- ReboundsLazar Djokovic12VCU Rams
- PointsKellen Thames18Saint Louis Billikens
- AssistsKellen Thames3Saint Louis Billikens
- ReboundsKellen Thames10Saint Louis Billikens
Recent form
VCU Rams
Last 10: 8-2Streak W587 scored · 74.3 allowed per game7-1 at home
- W93-80at Duquesne DukesJan 3
- W89-82vs St. Bonaventure BonniesDec 31
- W100-79vs Rider BroncsDec 23
- W105-83vs American University EaglesDec 19
- W84-58vs Niagara Purple EaglesDec 16
- L78-81vs New Mexico LobosDec 11
- W83-57vs Samford BulldogsDec 6
- W86-68vs Virginia Tech HokiesNov 28
- L74-89at Vanderbilt CommodoresNov 27
- W78-66vs South Florida BullsNov 26
Saint Louis Billikens
Last 10: 9-1Streak W794.3 scored · 66.2 allowed per game1-0 away
- W102-79vs Saint Joseph's HawksDec 31
- W114-33vs Principia PRINCIPIADec 28
- W93-79vs New Hampshire WildcatsDec 21
- W112-53vs Bethune-Cookman WildcatsDec 18
- W85-75vs San Francisco DonsDec 14
- W107-65vs Central Michigan ChippewasDec 7
- W91-70at Loyola Marymount LionsDec 3
- L77-78vs Stanford CardinalNov 29
- W71-70vs Santa Clara BroncosNov 28
- W91-60vs Purdue Fort Wayne MastodonsNov 22
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis | 29-6 | - | 15-3 |
| VCU | 28-8 | - | 15-3 |
| Saint Joseph's | 24-12 | 2 | 13-5 |
| Dayton | 25-12 | 3 | 12-6 |
| George Mason | 23-10 | 4 | 11-7 |
| Davidson | 20-14 | 5 | 10-8 |
| Duquesne | 18-15 | 6 | 9-9 |
| George Washington | 19-16 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Fordham | 17-15 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Rhode Island | 16-16 | 8 | 7-11 |
| Richmond | 15-17 | 10 | 5-13 |
| La Salle | 9-23 | 10 | 5-13 |
| St. Bonaventure | 17-17 | 11 | 4-14 |
| Loyola Chicago | 9-24 | 11 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Saint Louis Billikens | VCU Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-63 | 18-63 |
| Field goal % | 43 | 29 |
| Three-pointers | 6-20 | 6-24 |
| Three-point % | 30 | 25 |
| Free throws | 11-16 | 20-24 |
| Free throw % | 69 | 83 |
| Rebounds | 42 | 42 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 36 | 33 |
| Assists | 14 | 7 |
| Steals | 9 | 10 |
| Blocks | 4 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 12 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 40 | 24 |
| Fouls | 21 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 14 | 1 |
| Lead changes | 2 | 2 |
| Time in front | 97 | 1 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half40-32Paul Otieno makes 2-foot dunk (Trey Green assists)
- 2nd Half42-32Paul Otieno makes layup (Quentin Jones assists)
- 2nd Half44-32Kellen Thames makes driving layup
- 2nd Half45-32Kellen Thames makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half45-35Jadrian Tracey makes 25-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half47-35Paul Otieno makes layup
- 2nd Half49-35Kellen Thames makes layup
- 2nd Half49-37Lazar Djokovic makes 4-foot hook shot (Terrence Hill Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half49-38Terrence Hill Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-39Terrence Hill Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-41Terrence Hill Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-41Kellen Thames makes layup
- 2nd Half51-42Lazar Djokovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-43Lazar Djokovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-43Robbie Avila makes layup
- 2nd Half54-43Robbie Avila makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-43Robbie Avila makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-44Terrence Hill Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-45Terrence Hill Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-46Brandon Jennings makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-47Brandon Jennings makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-47Trey Green makes 3-foot floating jump shot (Robbie Avila assists)
- 2nd Half57-50Terrence Hill Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half59-50Paul Otieno makes 2-foot dunk (Dion Brown assists)
- 2nd Half59-51Brandon Jennings makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-53Lazar Djokovic makes layup
- 2nd Half59-54Michael Belle makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-55Michael Belle makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-55Quentin Jones makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-58Michael Belle makes 23-foot three point jumper (Ahmad Nowell assists)
- 2nd Half61-59Lazar Djokovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-60Lazar Djokovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-62Ahmad Nowell makes driving layup
- 2nd Half64-62Amari McCottry makes 23-foot three point jumper (Quentin Jones assists)
- 2nd Half66-62Robbie Avila makes layup (Amari McCottry assists)
- 2nd Half67-62Brady Dunlap makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-62Brady Dunlap makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-62Kellen Thames makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-62Kellen Thames makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-62Kellen Thames makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours VCU Rams, below favours Saint Louis Billikens.
Venue
- Siegel CenterRichmond, VA
- Attendance7637
- OfficialsJeff Clark, Lee Cassell, Michael Palau
Elsewhere
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- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond
Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
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- Saint Louis Billikens Defeat VCU Rams 88-75Feb 20, 2026