GAME NOTES: The Virginia Commonwealth Rams will look to win their fifth` straight contest as they entertain the Cleveland State Vikings in a non- conference matchup at the Siegel Center on Monday.

Cleveland State has already had an up-and-down season, and owns a 6-7 record coming in. The Vikings are 1-5 away from home, and have lost two of their last three games, including a tight 67-65 defeat at the hands of Eastern Illinois last Tuesday.

VCU opened the 2014-15 season ranked in the nation's Top-25, but a loss to Villanova late in November and a defeat at Old Dominion just a few days later, dropped the Rams out of the rankings. However, they enter this clash with a 9-3 mark having won four straight contests, including an 84-60 victory over ETSU a week ago.

This matchup will mark the third all-time between the programs. The Vikings own a 2-0 mark in the series against the Rams, which includes an 83-76 victory in Cleveland back in 1988 - the most recent meeting.

Cleveland State held a one-point lead over Eastern Illinois at the half of the Vikings' last matchup, but the home squad couldn't maintain that advantage in the second half as the Panthers came back to take the two-point victory. The Vikings shot 48 percent from the field, including 10-of-18 from 3-point range, and were led in scoring by Charlie Lee's 15-point effort. Lee added six rebounds and four assists in the loss, while Anton Grady netted 14 points and seven boards, and Trey Lewis chipped in with 13 points.

Cleveland State has built a solid defensive foundation this season, as the team allows just 61.0 ppg to opponents. The Vikings have been able to maintain a decent offensive effort as well, even after the transfer of last year's leading scorer Bryn Forbes. Lewis comes into this clash netting a team-high 17.6 ppg on 45.6 percent shooting, also making 47.1 percent from 3-point range. Grady chips in 12.1 ppg this season with a team-best 5.7 rpg, and Lee tallies 10.1 ppg to round out the trio of double-digit scorers for the Vikings.

VCU received a strong offensive effort last Tuesday in the team's win against East Tennessee State, as the Rams connected on 51.7 percent of their shots from the field. Melvin Johnson netted 15 points to lead the team, while Treveon Graham contributed 13 points with eight rebounds, and Michael Gilmore chipped in 10 points for VCU. The Rams held ETSU to just 38.5 percent shooting from the floor, including 9-of-24 from 3-point distance.

Although VCU only has two players averaging scoring totals in double figures this season, the Rams still bring a hefty 76.8 ppg average into this clash with Cleveland State. Graham tops the team with 16.3 ppg, followed by Johnson's 15.2 ppg mark. Graham also leads the Rams in the rebounding category as well, bringing down 6.5 boards per outing. VCU is giving up 67.2 ppg to opponents this season on 44.7 percent shooting from the floor.

Cleveland State has underperformed in a handful of games this season, which absolutely can't happen against a tough VCU team that is an offensive powerhouse. The Rams, who are 5-1 at home this season, should be able to overwhelm the Vikings offensively.