Score: VCU 82, James Madison 81
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 7-2, James Madison 3-3
 
The short story: Junior forward Vince Williams hit a crucial step-back jumper in the final minute and flirted with a double-double as VCU held off comeback-minded James Madison for the Rams' fifth straight victory.
 
OPENING TIP

• Williams led VCU with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in 33 minutes of action. He connected on 5-of-10 attempts from the field, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range
• Freshman point guard Ace Baldwin supplied eight points and handed out a career-high 10 assists for VCU
• Sophomore guard Bones Hyland also dropped 15 for the Black & Gold, while junior guard KeShawn Curry, in his first game back following a shoulder injury on Dec. 2, poured in 13 points off the bench
• Freshman Jamir Watkins and sophomore Tre Clark added nine points each for the Rams, while Corey Douglas provided seven rebounds and five blocks
• CAA Preseason Player of the Year Matt Lewis paced the Dukes with 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU built a 21-point first half lead behind a defense that forced 14 turnovers and limited the Dukes to 39 percent shooting (10-of-26) in the opening period
• JMU used a 9-0 burst to close within 77-74 with 1:30 remaining. On the ensuing possession, the left-handed Williams buried a step-back 17-footer from the right elbow with 41 seconds remaining and the shot clock running low to keep the Dukes at bay. The Rams hit 3-of-4 free throws in the remaining moments to clinch the victory
• VCU forced 18 turnovers and turned those into 22 points
• The Rams shot .455 (30-of-66) from the field. James Madison hurt itself with 12 missed free throws (15-of-27)

NOTABLE

• VCU has won five straight games to close out non-conference play. The Rams have not trailed in the last 189:47 of game time
• Baldwin's 10 assists were the most by a Ram since Samir Doughty dished out 10 in a win over Saint Joseph's on Feb. 14, 2017
• This was the first meeting between these two schools since 2012. VCU leads the all-time series 45-21

UP NEXT
VCU is scheduled to kick off Atlantic 10 Conference play on Wednesday, Dec. 30 against Saint Joseph's at Hagan Arena in Philadelphia, Pa. The game is scheduled to tip-off at noon on NBC Sports Washington.