Location: Pittsburgh (PPG Paints Arena)
Updated Records: VCU 25-7, Duquesne 18-15.
In a nutshell: First team A-10 All Star Terrence Hill scored a game-high 20 points. Michael Belle chipped in 14 points. Both Hill and Belle came off the bench, as VCU held off Duquesne. Hill also dished out a game-high six assists. Meanwhile, Belle grabbed seven rebounds and made two steals.
NOTES (Information provided by Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D.)
· VCU trailed 26-23 with 4:36 left in the first half, but ratcheted up its defense to spark a 16-3 blitz, punctuated by a long Hill 3-pointer with three seconds remaining, to take a 39-29 lead into halftime.
· The Rams never trailed again, but the Dukes did manage to keep things interesting down the stretch. Duquesne pulled within 55-53 on a Jimmie Williams 3-pointer with 6:52 left. But Hill promptly responded with a triple from the right wing. Later, the Dukes trimmed VCU’s advantage to 66-64 on a Jimmie Williams layup with 37 seconds left. But Hill drew a foul and hit a free throw, and Belle grabbed a steal on Duquesne’s ensuing possession. Freshman guard Nyk Lewis knocked down a pair of free throws to help seal the win.
· VCU shot 47 percent (23-of-49) from the field in the game, including 44 percent (7-of-16) from beyond the arc.
· VCU received 34 points from its bench.
· Hill has reached 20-plus points six times this season.
· VCU improved to 11-4 all-time against Duquesne, including 2-0 this season.
NEXT UP: VCU will face Saint Joseph’s in Saturday’s semifinals. Tipoff at 3:30 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network.
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