GAME NOTES: The Virginia Commonwealth Rams will look to continue their strong play in December as they host the East Tennessee State Buccaneers on Monday night in non-conference action at the Siegel Center.

Off to their best start in a decade, the Buccaneers added another tally to their win column when they won at the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on Tuesday night, 63-60. The Bucs now have a record of 6-2 this season.

VCU has played well in the month of December, as it has gone 4-1 in its five games this month, with the most recent game being a 68-47 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday. The Rams now hold a record of 8-3.

These teams have met 10 times in their programs' history, with VCU winning all 10 matchups. The most recent game was in 2012, when the Rams dominated the Bucs, 109-58.

Rashawn Rembert had a big night against the Colonels, as he scored 30 points in the Bucs' sixth win this season. Lester Wilson (15 points) and Isaac Banks (nine rebounds, four assists, six points) also contributed in the victory. East Tennessee State shot very well in the first half, as it connected on 48 percent of its field goal attempts, including 8-of-17 from the 3-point line. Defensively, the Bucs limited the Colonels to 40.0 percent shooting, including 32.3 percent from 3-point range.

Jalen Riley currently leads the Bucs in scoring with 20.0 ppg, which ranks him second in scoring amongst all players in the Southern Conference. With 17.9 ppg, Rembert is second on the team in scoring, and fourth overall in the SoCon. Wilson is the third Bucs player to average double digits with 14.3 ppg, ranking him 10th in the SoCon. East Tennessee State's offensive output has been a major reason for its success this season, as it currently averages 81.9 ppg, the second best average in the SoCon. That average includes a 3-point field goal shooting percentage of .415, the best percentage in the SoCon. The Bucs are also ahead in the scoring margin (+7.5), rebounding margin (+2.1), and turnover margin (+3.6).

Melvin Johnson netted 18 points in VCU's victory over Cincy. Treveon Graham finished with 12 points, six assists, and five boards, while Jordan Burgess scored 11 points. The Rams shot 42.6 percent from the field which included an impressive 15-of-31 from 3-point distance. Defensively, the Rams held the Bearcats to 33.3 percent shooting which included a poor mark of 3-of-15 from beyond the arc. VCU also forced 15 turnovers which they turned into 15 points. The Rams didn't need the foul line in this victory, as they had just one free throw attempt during the entire game.

Graham leads the Rams in both scoring (16.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.4 rpg). Graham currently ranks as the fourth best scorer in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Johnson is VCU's second best scorer with 15.2 ppg, the eighth best mark in the A-10. The Rams have played well on offense this season, as they currently score 76.1 ppg, ranking them second in scoring offense in the A-10. However, VCU is allowing teams to shoot 45.3 percent from the field, which includes a 38.1 shooting percentage from 3-point range, both rank the Rams dead last in the A-10 for the respective categories. VCU is also leading the A-10 in steals (105 total) and has the best turnover margin (+6.27) in the conference.

Both teams have been strong on offense this season and could potentially have a shootout on Monday night. Yet the Rams' ability to create turnovers and the fact they've played against tougher competition should give them the advantage.