Box Score Score: VCU 75, Oregon State 67 - NCAA Tournament First Round
Location: Oklahoma City, Okla. (Chesapeake Arena)
Records: VCU 25-10, Oregon State 19-13
The short story: JeQuan Lewis (21 points) and Mo Alie-Cox (20) delivered one of their best games of the season and provided key buckets down the stretch to lead 10th-seeded VCU to a victory over seventh-seeded Oregon State Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. VCU advances to face second-seeded Oklahoma, which topped CSU Bakersfield Friday.
THE DIFFERENCE
- Melvin Johnson buried a go-ahead 3-pointer from the left corner with 8:27 left to halt a 10-0 Oregon State run and give the Rams a 52-51 lead. VCU would not trail again. Johnson's three ignited a 9-1 VCU burst that included a long three by Lewis to make it 55-52. On VCU's next possession, Alie-Cox grabbed a pass from Lewis, slammed home a dunk and picked up a foul for a three-point opportunity with 6:28 remaining.
- The Rams hit 8-of-9 free throws in the final five minutes to cement the victory.
- VCU outrebounded Oregon State 40-28 and outscored the Beavers in the paint 46-37.
- Trailing 20-17 midway through the first half, VCU used a 9-0 burst that included an old-fashioned three-point play by Johnson and a thunderous Alie-Cox dunk to take a 26-20 lead with 3:47 left in the period. The Rams would take a 36-28 lead into the lockerroom.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Lewis finished with 21 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals. He was 3-of-5 from 3-point range.
- Alie-Cox controlled the paint for VCU and produced 20 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. He was 7-of-8 from the field.
- Johnson added 12 points for the Rams, while Jordan Burgess kicked in eight rebounds off the bench.
- VCU knocked down 17-of-21 free throws in the contest.
- Gary Payton II led the Beavers with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals.
NOTABLE
- VCU earned its first NCAA win since 2012-13. The Rams, making their 15th NCAA appearance, are 13-14 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
- Will Wade (33) is the youngest head coach in the NCAA Tournament this year.
- VCU led Friday's game for 33:28.
UP NEXT
- The Rams will meet Oklahoma at 5:15 EST Sunday at Chesapeake Arena with a Sweet 16 berth on the line.
