VCU finishes off Pitt: Rams 71, Panthers 67

Final Score: VCU 71, Pitt 67

Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Current Records: VCU 3-1, Pitt 1-3

 

In a Nutshell: VCU's two Michigan transfers, Brandon Johns Jr. and Zeb Jackson, combined for 34 points as the Rams came from behind to repel a second-half surge from the Panthers. That strong finish enabled VCU to win the "third-place" game of the Legends Classic.

 

NOTES

 

·      Johns scored a game-high 18 points for the Rams, including 11 in the second half, and tied a career-high with nine rebounds. He connected on 9-of-11 free throws.

·      Jackson poured in a career-high 16 points, including 11 after the break. Jackson converted 4-of-8 from the field and 7-of-8 at the charity stripe. He added three steals, three assists and three rebounds.

·      Josh Banks gave the Rams a lift coming off the bench with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting, while Jamir Watkins and Jayden Nunn added eight points each.

·      Blake Hinson led Pitt's scoring with 18 points.

 

·      Johns scored seven straight VCU points, including a traditional three-point play in traffic, to give VCU a 61-60 lead with 1:35 remaining. VCU hit 8-of-10 free throws in the final 90 seconds to keep the Panthers at bay.

·      VCU used an 11-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer by senior forward David Shriver and a driving layup by Jackson to erase a six-point Panthers lead and push the Rams in front 46-41 with 10:47 left. A short time later, Hinson buried a 3-pointer from the wing to cap a 16-6 Pitt run and give the Panthers a 57-51 advantage.

·      VCU held Pitt to 42 percent (24-of-57) shooting in the contest, including 5-of-22 from beyond the 3-point arc.

·      VCU forced 18 Pitt turnovers and converted those miscues into 23 points.

 

·      VCU was playing in the Legends Classic for the third time. The Rams have split a pair of games in each trip.

·      The Rams lead the all-time series with Pitt, 4-2. Thursday’s game was the first between the two schools since an 84-79 Pitt overtime victory in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Buffalo, N.Y. on March 18, 2007.

·      The game was Pitt Coach Jeff Capel’s third against the Rams since departing VCU in 2006. VCU is 2-1 in those games. As head coach (2002-06) Capel led the Rams to 79 wins and a 2004 NCAA Tournament appearance.

 

BOX SCORE

 

NEXT UP

 

            ·      VCU will hit the road on Sunday, Nov. 20, to take on Memphis at 5 p.m. EST. The game will air on ESPN+. 

-- Info provided by Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D.