NIT First Round: VCU 70, Villanova 61

Final Score: VCU 70, Villanova 61
Location: Finneran Pavilion in Villanova, Pa.
Updated Records: VCU 23-13. Villanova 18-16.

In a nutshell: With 5:35 left in the contest, Villanova led by one point (57-56). That was the Wildcats' last lead. After the score had been tied 10 times and there were 17 lead changes, VCU managed to pull away with a timely 12-3 run over the game's final 4:40. 

From VCU's scorebook: Bamisile 17 pts., 4 boards. Shulga 10 pts., 3 boards, 6 assists. Lawal 8 pts., 10 boards, 2 steals. Billups 9 pts., 2 steals. Jackson 8 pts., 4 boards, 4 assists. The Rams’ bench outscored the Wildcats’ bench by 30 points, 42-to-12.

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

• Lawal hit a pair of free throws at the 4:40 mark to give the Rams a 60-58 lead. Moments later, following two VCU defensive stops, Shulga splashed a 3-pointer from just right of the top of the arc to push VCU in front 64-58 with 2:56 remaining. Shulga added a pair of free throws, and the Rams broke the Wildcats’ full-court press for breakaway dunks by Bamisile and Lawal in the waning moments to cement the win. 
• VCU knocked down 11-of-30 from long range, while Villanova shot 6-of-23 from 3-point range. Eric Dixon led all players with 21 points and 13 rebounds for Villanova. 
• VCU won the rebounding battle 34-32. 
• Wednesday’s win sends VCU to the second round of the NIT for the third time in program history.

BOX SCORE

NEXT UP: The NIT's Second Round: VCU will face South Florida in Tampa on Sunday, March 24. Tipoff at 7:30 p.m. TV: ESPNU.