Score: Richmond 77, VCU 76
Location: Richmond, Va. (Robins Center)
Records: VCU 14-10 (6-5 A-10), Richmond 9-14 (7-4)

The short story: Senior forward Justin Tillman scored 21 points to lead VCU, but a late layup by Richmond's Jacob Gilyard and a go-ahead free throw by Khwan Fore with 3.8 seconds remaining completed a furious Spider comeback Wednesday night at the Robins Center.

OPENING TIP

• Tillman led the VCU attack, scoring 15 of his game-high 21 points in the first half. He also provided six rebounds and four blocks.
• Sophomores Issac Vann (14), De'Riante Jenkins (14) and Malik Crowfield (11) also scored in double figures for VCU. Vann added nine rebounds and four steals for the Rams.
• Crowfield scored all 11 of his points in the second half, including back-to-back 3-pointers that provided the Rams with a 71-64 lead with 5:00 left.
• Four Spiders scored in double figures, including Nick Sherod (18) and Gilyard (18). Sherod spearheaded Richmond's comeback with 14 second-half points.

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU grabbed a 65-53 lead with 8:36 remaining behind a 13-2 run, but Sherod scored 10 points in the final 6:35 as Richmond mounted a rally.
• Sherod found paydirt on back-to-back Richmond possessions to help the Spiders draw within 74-70 with 1:36 remaining. A short time later, Sherod pulled UR within 76-74 with a turnaround in the lane with 35.6 left. On the ensuing possession, Gilyard grabbed a steal and laid the ball in to tie the score.
• VCU was unable to convert on its penultimate possession of the game, and Fore grabbed the rebound and drew a foul with 3.8 seconds showing on the clock. He rattled home the first of two free throws to provide the final margin.

NOTABLES

• Tillman booked his 12^th 20-point game of the season in Wednesday's loss.
• VCU shot 52 percent (30-of-58) in the game.
• The Rams were without the services of starting point guard Johnny Williams, who sprained his ankle in Friday's loss to Rhode Island.
• The game featured 18 lead changes and 10 ties.

NEXT UP
VCU will meet Dayton on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at the E.J. Wade Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. CBS Sports will broadcast that game.