VCU Holds Off Mason Rally

Final Score: VCU 72, George Mason 66.

Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Current Records: VCU 19-7, 12-3 in A-10; Mason 13-13, 6-7 in A-10 

Although the Rams threatened twice to make the game a runaway, Mason wouldn't have it. The gritty Patriots made comebacks in both stanzas. Both times the Rams absorbed the runs by the Patriots, to once again establish a working margin. Key stats: VCU won the battle of the boards, 35-to-31. VCU made 13 steals, Mason made 8 steals.

In the first half Nunn paced the Rams attack with his accurate jumpers. In the second half, it seemed Baldwin and Brown-Jones sank a key basket every time VCU needed it. Coming off the bench, Brown-Jones scored 15 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in just 15 minutes on the floor. Lately, he's looking better in every game. 

The information below was supplied by Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D.

OPENING TIP

·       Baldwin tied his career-high of 18 points, set on Feb. 12 at George Mason. He added seven rebounds, six steals and four assists

·       Brown-Jones recorded a career-high (15 points) for the second straight game. He connected on 4-of-4 attempts from the floor and 7-of-8 from the charity stripe

·       In all, four Rams scored in double figures, including freshman guard Jayden Nunn (13) and senior guard KeShawn Curry (12)

·       D’Shawn Schwartz led all players with 22 points for George Mason

 

THE DIFFERENCE

·       Baldwin and Brown-Jones keyed a game-changing 22-2 VCU run over an eight-minute span in the second half that turned a 48-42 deficit into a 64-50 VCU lead with 4:17 remaining. Brown-Jones supplied seven points during the run, while Baldwin recorded a traditional three-point play, then a step-back 3-pointer on consecutive possessions to bolster the Rams

·       The Rams started the game on a 10-0 run that included five Curry points before the Patriots used a 9-0 run to come within one with 14:22 remaining in the first half. VCU held a 39-34 lead heading into halftime

·       George Mason started the first half on a 7-0 run to take a 41-39 lead with 15:34 remaining. The Patriots led 48-42 with 12:56 remaining before the Rams assumed command of the game

·       VCU forced 18 George Mason turnovers and owned a 35-31 advantage on the glass

 

NOTABLE

·       VCU has won six straight games and held onto a share of second place in the Atlantic 10 standings with the win. VCU and Dayton remain a game behind Davidson in the league race

·       VCU shot .462 (24-of-52) from the field and .741 (20-of-27) from the free throw line

·       The Rams have completed a regular season sweep of the Patriots and improved to 45-22 all-time against Mason

·       VCU Head Coach Mike Rhoades improved to 99-50 in five years at the helm of the program

NEXT UP
The Rams travel to Amherst, Mass. on Saturday, Feb. 26 to take on UMass at 4:30 p.m. The game will air on USA Network.