VCU defense withstands Dayton rally; just barely

Final score: VCU 49, Dayton 47.
Location: Siegel Center (sellout)
Current records: VCU 16-8, 8-3 in A-10. Dayton 19-4, 9-2 in A-10.

In a nutshell: With conference rival Dayton in town, the Rams were facing a tough challenge: could they keep the Flyers star, DaRon Holmes, from controlling the game? Coach Ryan Odom had the Rams double-team Holmes whenever he got the ball within 12 feet of the rim. They surrounded him, they shoved him and they fouled him. The refs let 'em play and the Rams needed that factor.

Holmes went 5-for-13 from the charity stripe. Although he scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, it was hardly the game Coach Anthony Grant needed from his likely A-10 player of the year power forward.

Except for the first few minutes VCU led the entire way. With his confidence out of joint, the Rams had to expect -- maybe even want -- for Holmes to take the last shot. He did. It was an 8-foot runner from the wing. Like most of his foul shots had, it clanged off the rim. VCU's hard earned two-point lead held up.

The Rams defense provided just enough swagger to beat the Number 18 team in the nation (AP Poll). The Rams held Dayton without a field goal for the last 4:45 of the game.

All nine Rams who played scored. Jason Nelson's 11 points set the pace. VCU's bench outscored Dayton's, 23-to-eight. The Rams won the battle of the boards, 37-to-32.

If you like an all-out brawl of a defensive game, this one was a treat. De-fense!

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

• Jason Nelson knocked down 3-of-3 from beyond the 3-point arc in the first half – including one as the shot clock expired -- to help lead the Rams to a 25-22 lead at the break. Senior guard Zeb Jackson scored nine points and added six rebounds and graduate transfer Sean Bairstow added six points and eight rebounds for the Rams. 
• Sophomore forward Tobi Lawal gave the Rams a 49-42 lead with six minutes remaining on a put back. VCU did not score for the final six minutes of the game, but the Rams held Dayton to 1-of-5 shooting and forced three turnovers down the stretch to hold on for the victory. 
• The Rams were able to hold Dayton to 36 percent shooting (17-of-47) from the field for the game, including 4-of-17 from 3-point range. The Flyers entered the night as one of the nation’s top 3-point shooting teams.
• The Flyers connected on just eight second-half field goals.
• Senior guard Zeb Jackson had a personal 7-0 run early in the second half to spark the Rams as they pushed their lead to as much as 42-34 with 13:44 remaining.
• The victory is VCU’s first over a ranked foe since the Rams defeated 25th-ranked Davidson on Jan. 26, 2022.
• Dayton misfired on 9-of-18 attempts from the free throw line.
• Nate Santos led all Dayton scorers with 19.

BOX SCORE

NEXT UP: VCU will travel to face Saint Louis for the Rams second match-up of the season with the Billikens on Friday, Feb. 16. Tipoff at 7 p.m. TV: ESPN2.