VCU Stiff-Arms Late GW Rally

Final Score: VCU 84, George Washington 77

Location: Washington, D.C. (Smith Center)

Current Records: VCU 10-3 (3-1 A-10), George Washington 3-8 (2-2)

 

The short story: Sophomore guard Bones Hyland led four Rams in double-figures, while VCU forced 23 turnovers on the way to its 10^th win of the season Wednesday.

 

OPENING TIP

·      Hyland scored in double figures for the 12^th time in 13 games with Wednesday’s effort. He was 5-of-13 from the field with a pair of 3-pointers. He also tied a career-high with six steals, plus he grabbed four rebounds

·      Sophomore forward Hason Ward added a career-high 11 points, five rebounds and four blocks for the Rams, while junior forward Vince Williams supplied 10 of his 12 points after the break for VCU

·      Freshman guard Jamir Watkins added 10 points, while classmate Ace Baldwin contributed eight assists and four steals the Rams

·      James Bishop led all players with 24 points for George Washington

 

THE DIFFERENCE

·      VCU forced 23 George Washington turnovers, including 14 in the first half alone. The Rams outscored the Colonials 23-13 off those miscues

·      VCU shot .534 (31-of-58) from the field and outscored George Washington 50-28 in the paint

·      The Rams opened the second half with an 11-4 burst, punctuated by a 3-pointer from Hyland from the right corner – the 100^th of his career - to take a 52-39 lead with 16:26 remaining. VCU would push the lead to as much as 17 before the Colonials staged a late rally to trim the final margin to single digits

 

NOTABLE

·      The Rams improved to 16-3 all-time against George Washington. VCU has won four straight in the series

·      VCU led for all but 2:06 Wednesday

·      The Rams have forced at least 15 turnovers in every game this season. Wednesday marked the fourth time this year VCU has forced 20 or more turnovers

·      Box score

 

NEXT UP

VCU is scheduled for a 10-day break, following the postponement of Saturday’s game at Richmond. The Rams’ next scheduled contest will be on Sat., Jan. 23, when they host Dayton at the Siegel Center at 4:30 p.m. (TV: CBS Sports Network).

-- Game notes from Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D.