VCU stiff-arms Fordham's late rally

Final Score: VCU 63, Fordham 59
Location: The Bronx, N.Y. (Rose Hill Gymnasium)
Updated Records: VCU 17-6 (8-2 in A-10), Fordham 12-11 (3-7 in A-10)

In a nutshell: On a chilly Tuesday night in the Bronx VCU staved off a late rally by Fordham. After the VCU Rams romped to a 16--point lead in the early seconds of the second half -- 38-to-22 -- the Fordham Rams simply wouldn't quit. 

So the homestanding Rams kept on chipping away and eventually closed the gap to two points with just 33 seconds left in the game. Yikes!

However, then VCU's defense swelled up and saved the day. Fordham couldn't buy another basket. It was not pretty. 

A few noteworthy VCU stats: Lazar Djokovic scored a team-high 17 points. He also grabbed four rebounds and blocked two shots. Barry Evans chipped in 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

By the way, VCU's star sixth man, Terrence Hill, started this game at the point. It was his first start of the season and he scored only six points in 37 minutes of play. He didn't look sharp. Overall? maybe the team actually functions better with Hill coming off the bench and playing from the wing, rather than of the top of the key.

 

NOTE: 

·      VCU received at least six points from five playyers, including junior guard Tyrell Ward, who supplied eight points, four rebounds and a pair of blocks.

·      DeJour Reaves, the Atlantic 10 Conference’s leading scorer, led all players with 21 points for Fordham.

·      VCU held Fordham to just 29 percent (10-of-34) shooting in the first half on the way to a 35-22 lead at the break. 

·      Fordham never led, but did manage to whittle VCU’s advantage down to 61-59 following a pair of Reaves free throws with 33 seconds remaining. However, Djokovic drew a foul on a drive to the basket on the ensuing possession and knocked down both free throws to extend the margin to four. Fordham attempted to call timeout on the following inbounds play, a timeout it did not have, resulting in an administrative technical foul. While VCU was unable to convert the technical, it did force a Fordham turnover on its next inbounds attempt.

·      VCU outrebounded Fordham, one of the nation’s best rebounding teams, 38-30.

·      Overall, the Black and Gold held Fordham to 36 percent (22-of-62) shooting, including 4-of-18 from beyond the arc. 

·      The Black and Gold have won a season-high six straight games.

·      VCU never trailed, and led for 39:20 Tuesday.

·      VCU improved to 16-1 all-time versus Fordham.

 

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: On  Friday, February 6, VCU will host Dayton at the Siegel Center. Tipoff at 7 p.m. TV: ESPN2. 

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