Score: VCU 72, George Mason 66
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 19-7 (12-3 Atlantic 10), George Mason 13-13 (6-7)
 
The short story: Sophomores Ace Baldwin Jr. and Mikeal Brown-Jones combined for 25 second-half points as VCU withstood plucky George Mason to register a Senior Night victory at the Siegel Center
 
OPENING TIP

• Baldwin tied his career-high of 18 points, set on Feb. 12 at George Mason. He added seven rebounds, six steals and four assists
• Brown-Jones recorded a career-high for the second straight game with 15 points and six rebounds. He connected on 4-of-4 attempts from the floor and 7-of-8 from the charity stripe
• In all, four Rams scored in double figures, including freshman guard Jayden Nunn (13) and senior guard KeShawn Curry (12)
• D'Shawn Schwartz led all players with 22 points for George Mason

THE DIFFERENCE

• Baldwin and Brown-Jones keyed a game-changing 22-2 VCU run over an eight-minute span in the second half that turned a 48-42 deficit into a 64-50 VCU lead with 4:17 remaining. Brown-Jones supplied seven points during the run, while Baldwin recorded a traditional three-point play, then a step-back 3-pointer on consecutive possessions to bolster the Rams
• The Rams started the game on a 10-0 run that included five Curry points before the Patriots used a 9-0 run to come within one with 14:22 remaining in the first half. VCU held a 39-34 lead heading into halftime
• George Mason started the first half on a 7-0 run to take a 41-39 lead with 15:34 remaining. The Patriots led 48-42 with 12:56 remaining before the Rams assumed command of the game
• VCU forced 18 George Mason turnovers and owned a 35-31 advantage on the glass 

NOTABLE

• VCU has won six straight games and held onto a share of second place in the Atlantic 10 standings with the win. VCU and Dayton remain a game behind Davidson in the league race
• VCU shot .462 (24-of-52) from the field and .741 (20-of-27) from the free throw line
• The Rams have completed a regular season sweep of the Patriots and improved to 45-22 all-time against Mason
• VCU Head Coach Mike Rhoades improved to 99-50 in five years at the helm of the program

NEXT UP
The Rams travel to Amherst, Mass. on Saturday, Feb. 26 to take on UMass at 4:30 p.m. The game will air on USA Network.