VCU Stiff-Arms Dayton Rally

Atlantic 10 Conference Quarterfinals
Score: VCU 73, Dayton 68
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 18-6, Dayton 14-9
 
The short story: After missing the last two games, due to injury, VCU sophomore guard Bones Hyland returned to the lineup with 30 points and 10 rebounds. In the doing, Bones led VCU past Dayton and into the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament Semifinals.

OPENING TIP

• Hyland scored 22 of his 30 points in the first half as VCU built an 11-point lead. The sophomore also recorded 10 rebounds, three steals and three assists. It was Hyland's third double-double of the season.
• The Rams' steadily improving sophomore forward Hason Ward scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and had three blocks.
• VCU freshman guard Ace Baldwin chipped in 10 points and two assists for the black and gold
• Rams' senior forward Corey Douglas converted 3-of-5 from the field and finished with eight points, three blocks and a pair of steals off the bench.
• Jalen Crutcher led Dayton with 21 points.

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU opened the game on an 11-1 run that as capped off by a steal and layup by Hyland.
• The Flyers chipped away at the Rams' lead late in the first half and cut the deficit to seven with 1:44 remaining before the break. VCU responded with a 6-2 burst, punctuated by a Hyland fall-away jumper from the corner as the halftime buzzer sounded.
• Leading 40-30 with 16:44 left in the game, the Rams went on a 15-6 run that stretched the VCU advantage to 19, the largest of the game.
• Dayton responded with a 20-7 run of its own to climb back into the contest. The Flyers trailed by six with just under four minutes remaining.
• Hyland and Douglas each sunk a pair of free throws to push the Rams' lead back to double digits as VCU held off the Flyers in the final minutes.
• The Rams scored 38 points in the paint to Dayton's 22.
• VCU forced 21 Dayton turnovers and converted those into 22 points.

NOTABLE

• VCU returns to the A-10 semifinals for the sixth time since joining the league prior to the 2012-13 season. The Rams have won the previous five.
  
• Hyland has contributed three double-doubles this season. 
• VCU recorded double-digit steals for the fourth time this season.
• Dayton's 21 turnovers mark a season-high for the Flyers.
• The Rams are 14-6 all-time in A-10 Tournament games.
• Box score   
  

SEMI-FINAL GAME

On Sat., Mar. 6, second-seeded VCU (18-6, No. 35 NET) will meet third-seeded Davidson (13-7, No. 72 NET), at 9 p.m. with a championship game berth on the line. The game will be carried live on TV by CBS Sports. Radio on 910 AM.

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