Postseason National Invitation Tournament – Second Round
Score: Wake Forest 80, VCU 74
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C. (JLVM Coliseum)
Records: VCU 22-10, Wake Forest 25-9
The short story: Senior forward
Vince Williams Jr. scored a career-high 27 points, but it wasn't enough to lift VCU, which fell to Wake Forest Saturday in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.
OPENING TIP
- Williams scored 16 of his points in the first half alone. He finished the day 7-of-15 from the field and 10-of-11 at the free throw line. He added eight rebounds
- Freshman guard Jayden Nunn capped his rookie campaign with 18 points on 6-of-10 three-point shooting for VCU
- Junior forward Hason Ward added eight points, four rebounds and two blocks for the Rams, while freshman forward Jalen DeLoach provided seven points and eight rebounds off the bench
- Alondes Williams led four Demon Deacons in double figures with 19 points
THE DIFFERENCE
- Wake Forest made 37 trips to the free throw line and connected on 29
- The Demon Deacons shot .481 (13-of-27) in the first half, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range on the way to a 43-35 halftime lead
- VCU was hurt by 19 turnovers, including 13 in the first half
- The Rams pulled within 63-60 on a pair of Williams free throws with 5:17 remaining, but could not get over the hump. Alondes Williams responded with a driving layup to make it 65-60. A short time later Daivien Williamson capped a 7-0 run with a 3-pointer to give the Demon Deacons a 72-63 advantage with 3:15 left
NOTABLE
- The two teams combined for 64 free throws in the game, including 44 in the second half
- VCU held Wake to 2-of-14 shooting from 3-point range in the second half
- For the first time in three years, VCU decided its fate on the court. The Rams past two season finales have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
NEXT UP
VCU's 2021-22 season is complete
