VCU wins a thriller in Dayton

Final score: VCU 63, Day 62. 

Location: UD Arena in Dayton.

Current records: VCU 13-5, 4-1 in A-10. Dayton 12-6, 4-1 in A-10.  

In a nutshell: Once again, VCU fell behind by double-digits in the first half. This time it was to a pretty good team on its floor; Dayton led by 14 points at the half. Although the Rams closed the gap gradually during the second half, the Flyers held onto the lead until the last minute. That was when VCU's scrambling defense suddenly pulled Dayton's weary offense to pieces. VCU led for a total of 1:16 of the game

VCU's David Shriver scored 18 point on six treys (one of them off of a steal during that crazy last minute). Bran Johns scored 16 points. But it was Nick Kern's timely contributions -- nine points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals, one block -- that stood out during the Rams closing surge, 

VCU's bench outscored Dayton's bench by 25-to-three. Once again, the Rams depth was a big part of its success. This was surely one of VCU's most impressive comeback wins on the road in program history. What a finish!

NOTES (Info provided by Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D)

• Shriver hit back-to-back triples with 14 minutes remaining to pull VCU within 42-40. Then, at the 10:35 mark, he hit another to trim the Flyers lead to 46-45. 
• VCU trailed 62-58 in the final minute, but Shriver intercepted a Dayton inbounds pass at midcourt and buried a 3-pointer from the left wing to cut the Flyers advantage to 62-61 with 28.1 seconds remaining. 
• On the ensuing possession, VCU trapped Camara on the left sideline. Kern poked the ball away and raced to the hoop for the go-ahead score. Dayton had one last look on its final possession, but Camara’s jumper fell short. 
• Camara led all scorers with 27 points and 11 rebounds for the Flyers.

BOX SCORE

NEXT UP

• VCU will take on UMass on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Siegel Center. This game will be streamed exclusively at NBCSports.com.

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