VCU FALLS TO MEMPHIS IN OT

From Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D. for Athletics Communications

Final Score: Memphis 85, VCU 80 - OT
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: Memphis 6-2, VCU 4-5
Attendance: 7,637 (Sellout)

The Short Story: Sophomore forward Tobi Lawal scored a career-high 16 points, while senior guard Max Shulga provided 14, but VCU dropped an overtime heartbreaker to Memphis Wednesday at the Siegel Center.

OPENING TIP 

• Lawal used a series of dunks and putbacks to lead five Rams in double figures. He converted 8-of-11 attempts in the game and hauled in eight rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench.
• Shulga also contributed a team-high five assists and two steals for the Rams. 
• Redshirt-freshman guard Fats Billups III supplied 13 points and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers for the Black and Gold. Senior guard Zeb Jackson and redshirt sophomore guard Jason Nelson kicked in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
• David Jones scored a game-high 23 points to lead Memphis.

THE DIFFERENCE 

• Jahvon Quinerly hit a pair of free throws with 1:25 left in overtime to give the Tigers a 79-77 lead. A possession later, Nick Jourdain converted a driving layup with 52 ticks on the clock to push Memphis’ edge to 81-78. Moments later, the Rams got one final chance to force double overtime. Following a layup by sophomore forward Christian Fermin that pulled the Rams within 83-80, VCU drew an offensive foul with 20 seconds remaining. But VCU’s contested 3-point attempt in the waning seconds caromed off the rim. Jones added a pair of free throws to provide the final margin.
• Memphis shot .474 (27-of-57) in the game, including .500 (14-of-28) in the second half. The Tigers connected on 6-of-10 three-point attempts, combined, in the second half and overtime.
• The Rams shot just .241 (7-of-29) from 3-point range. 
• Memphis connected on 23-of-29 free throw attempts, eight more than VCU’s total of 15-of-21.
• VCU trailed 69-67 in the closing moments of regulation, but Shulga buried a 3-pointer to push the Rams in front 70-69 with 1:06 left. A bucket by Quinerly supplied Memphis with a brief 71-70 lead, but a putback by Lawal provided the Rams with a 72-71 advantage with 29 ticks on the clock. But Malcolm Dandridge drew a foul underneath on the Tigers’ next possession and knocked down one of two free throws with 20 seconds left to send the game to overtime.

NOTABLE

• VCU led for 30:15 of the contest.
• The Rams outscored Memphis 40-36 in the paint and 18-12 off second-chance opportunities.
• VCU’s last four losses have come by a total of 17 points.
• Memphis leads the all-time series 6-3.
• VCU forced 18 Memphis turnovers.

NEXT UP

VCU will return to action on Sunday, Dec. 10 when it hosts Alcorn State at 2 p.m. at the Siegel Center. That game will be broadcast on MASN and ESPN+.