Box Score Score: George Washington 72, VCU 69
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 17-6 (9-1 A-10), George Washington 18-5 (7-3)
Attendance: 7,637 (79th consecutive sellout)
The Short Story: Sophomore JeQuan Lewis scored 16 points for VCU, but a late, go-ahead 3-pointer by George Washington's Joe McDonald pushed the Colonials to victory – and snapped the Rams 12-game win streak in the process - Saturday at the Siegel Center.
THE DIFFERENCE
- VCU's Melvin Johnson gave the Rams a 69-66 advantage with his 3-pointer with 2:13 remaining. George Washington responded with a Tyler Cavanaugh jumper on its next trip to pull within 69-68.
- On the Colonials' next possession, Kevin Larsen kept a possession alive with an offensive rebound and found McDonald on the left wing, who buried a trey go give George Washington the lead for the final time.
- VCU had a couple of chances to tie or retake the lead, but McDonald blocked one Rams' shot attempt with 59 seconds left. On the Rams' final possession, Johnson was long on an attempt from three, and VCU could not convert a putback attempt.
- The Rams initially looked like they might run past the Colonials in the second half. Larsen tied the game at 31-all on George Washington's first possession of the period, but Lewis scored eight straight points – including a pair of 3-pointers – to bolster an 11-2 VCU run. The Colonials did not break, however, and kept the Rams within striking distance. VCU's lead never grew to more than nine.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Lewis added five assists and three rebounds for the Rams.
- Johnson, junior Doug Brooks and junior Mo Alie-Cox all chipped in with 12 points for VCU. Alie-Cox added seven rebounds and a block.
- George Washington managed to hold VCU below 70 points and 40-percent shooting (.390) for the first time in 13 games.
- Patricio Garino led all scorers with a career-high 27 points for the Colonials. Cavanaugh and McDonald added 11 each.
- VCU outrebounded the Colonials 42-35.
NOTABLE
- Johnson (1,460 points) moved past Tyron McCoy and into 15th place on VCU's all-time scoring list. He also knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the game, moving him within 12 of the Rams' career mark.
- The game featured nine ties and nine lead changes.
WHAT'S NEXT
- VCU will return to the road and take on UMass on Thursday, Feb. 11 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Tip-off in that game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ESPNU will televise the contest.
