Torey Alston's Double-Double Leads VCU to 82-72 Win Over Little Rock

Torey Alston provided a critical spark off the bench on Monday, scoring 17 points and pulling down 12 rebounds to guide VCU to an 82-72 season-opening victory over Little Rock in Richmond. The performance, which Yahoo Sports reported as a decisive start to the Rams’ campaign, set the tone for a contest where the home team regained control before the halftime break and never relinquished it.

The game turned in VCU’s favor with just over a minute remaining in the first half. After trailing early, the Rams surged ahead to secure a 37-33 lead at the intermission, a momentum they carried through the second half. A pivotal 7-0 run midway through the final period allowed VCU to stretch their advantage to 14 points, reaching a 64-50 scoreline with 9:39 left on the clock. While Little Rock attempted to rally, the Rams’ defensive consistency ensured the Trojans could not bridge the gap.

Supporting Alston’s double-double, Lazar Djokovic and Nyk Lewis proved instrumental in maintaining the offensive pressure. According to CBS Sports, both players finished with 15 points apiece. Djokovic’s contribution included a 4-for-10 effort from the field and a 6-for-10 mark from the free-throw line, while Lewis demonstrated efficiency at the charity stripe, hitting all four of his free-throw attempts. Lewis also filled the stat sheet with five assists and three steals.

The Trojans’ Offensive Effort

Despite the loss, Little Rock found significant production from Jah’likai King, who led all scorers with 27 points. King’s offensive output, coupled with two steals, kept the Trojans within striking distance for much of the evening. Papa Amadou Kante provided secondary scoring for Little Rock with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Aaron Clark added 11 points to the team’s total.

FINAL: VCU opens the 2026-27 season with a win over the Trojans of Little Rock, 82-72. Torey Alston led with a double-double, 17pts & 12 rebs. On to the next!

— https://x.com/VCURamNation/status/2117445353016594522

The statistical breakdown of the evening highlights the difference in bench impact and late-game execution:

Player	Team	Points	Rebounds
Torey Alston	VCU	17	12
Jah’likai King	Little Rock	27	N/A
Lazar Djokovic	VCU	15	N/A
Nyk Lewis	VCU	15	N/A
Papa Amadou Kante	Little Rock	13	7

For the Rams, the victory serves as a foundational performance as they prepare for a more demanding schedule. The coaching staff will likely look to the efficiency shown by Lewis and the rebounding presence of Alston as they transition into their next matchup. The team faces a significant test this Saturday when they travel to face Memphis.

Little Rock, meanwhile, will look to regroup when they return home on Saturday to host SE Louisiana. The Trojans’ ability to rely on King’s scoring will be tested as they adjust to the rhythm of the early season. Both programs now shift their focus to these upcoming non-conference dates, each looking to refine their rotations following the initial outing of the 2026-2027 campaign.