Box Score Score: Dayton 68, VCU 67
Location: Dayton, Ohio (UD Arena)
Records: VCU 22-9 (14-4 A-10), Dayton 24-6 (14-4)
The short story: Dayton's Kyle Davis hit a go-ahead layup with 16 seconds remaining in overtime and the Flyers held on for a 68-67 victory Saturday night at UD Arena. Justin Tillman provided 12 points and 21 rebounds for the Rams in a game that featured nine ties and 13 lead changes. Dayton claims the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming Atlantic 10 Tournament. VCU will be the No. 2 seed.
THE DIFFERENCE
- VCU took a 66-62 lead with 1:43 left on a Melvin Johnson jumper. But four straight free throws, two each by Scootchie Smith and Charles Cooke, knotted the game at 66-all with 48 seconds remaining. The Rams' JeQuan Lewis drove and drew a foul with 27 seconds left and made one free throw to provide VCU with a one-point cushion.
- On the ensuing possession, Davis drove hard to the rim for two to give Dayton the lead for good, but not before a wild final series of plays.
- VCU turned it over with eight seconds left. VCU's Doug Brooks intercepted the ensuing inbounds play and attempted to throw the ball to Tillman underneath the basket, only to see Davis streak in to steal the ball back. VCU fouled with six seconds left and Davis missed both free throws. The Rams quickly rushed the ball to midcourt and called timeout with 1.1 on the clock. VCU's Melvin Johnson had a good look at a 3-pointer from the left wing at the buzzer, but the shot was long.
- The Rams hit three consecutive 3-pointers – one each by Johnson, Lewis and Korey Billbury – and raced to an 11-2 start.
- Smith was the difference for Dayton. He scored 20 of his game-high 29 points in the second half and overtime.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Tillman logged his fifth double-double of the season and matched the most rebounds by a Ram in a game since Larry Sanders in the 2009 CAA Tournament Championship Game against George Mason.
- Billbury and Johnson added 16 points each for VCU, while junior Mo Alie-Cox provided 12 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots.
- Charles Cooke added 13 points for Dayton.
- VCU outrebounded the Flyers 52-48
UP NEXT
- VCU will head to the Atlantic 10 Tournament at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York March 9-13. The Rams will be the No. 2 seed and will play the winner of the 7/10 game on Friday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m.
