Score: VCU 71, Duquesne 62
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 14-7 (7-3 Atlantic 10), Duquesne 6-14 (1-7)
 
The short story: Junior forward Hason Ward recorded his fourth career double-double as the Rams used a second-half push to hold off Duquesne Saturday night
 
OPENING TIP

• Ward collected 13 points, 10 rebounds, and tied his career-high with five blocks. He shot 6-of-9 from the field
• Sophomore guard Ace Baldwin Jr. scored 13 points, grabbed three rebounds, and dished out seven assists
• Senior guard KeShawn Curry and junior guard Marcus Tsohonis both scored in double figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Tsohonis connected on 3-of-6 from 3-point range
• Tre Williams led the Dukes with 19 points

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU trailed 30-29 at the break, but freshman forward Jalen DeLoach helped spark a 16-2 run with a pair of dunks as the Rams grabbed a 51-42 lead with 9:21 remaining
• The Dukes came as close as three with 7:18 left, but never reclaimed the lead
• VCU shot .482 (27-of-56) from the field and held Duquesne to .371 (23-of-62) shooting, and held a 22-5 advantage in bench points
• The Rams outscored Duquesne 42-26 in the paint and blocked nine shots in the game
• The first half featured four lead changes and one tie, with the Dukes leading for the majority of the half
• VCU held Duquesne to 1-of-8 shooting over final 3:14 of the half to cut the Dukes' lead to 30-29 heading into halftime

NOTABLE

• The Rams played without senior forward Vince Williams Jr., who is recovering from a strained calf, for the second game in a row
• VCU improved its series record to 8-1 over Duquesne 

NEXT UP
VCU hosts Rhode Island on Tuesday, Feb. 8 for a 7 p.m. tip. The game will air on CBS Sports Network.