Score: VCU 60, Seattle, 56
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 3-1, Seattle 2-2
 
The Short Story: Senior guard Zeb Jackson scored a career-high 20 points, and VCU got late-game heroic from sophomores Tobi Lawal and Jason Nelson to rally past Seattle Saturday at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING TIP

• Jackson connected on 5-of-11 attempts from the field and sank all eight of his free throws on the way to a career-high scoring performance for the second straight game
• Lawal added 10 points, four rebounds and two critical blocked shots for the Black and Gold
• Senior guard Max Shulga provided seven points, seven assists and seven rebounds for the Rams
• The Redhawks were led by Kobe Williamson with 17 points and eight rebounds

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU closed the game on a 16-5 run to rally to victory. Lawal came up with an offensive rebound and found Nelson on the left wing for a go-ahead 3-pointer that gave the Rams a 54-53 lead with 1:58 remaining. The Rams would not trail again
• Seattle led 49-41 – it's largest cushion of the day -- with 6:32 left following a 3-pointer by Alex Schumacher. Lawal answered with a 3-pointer from the right wing on the next possession – the first trey of his career – to kick off a 17-4 VCU run over the next five minutes. Lawal also buried a triple from the left corner to pull the Rams within 51-49 with 3:53 remaining
• Lawal also blocked a potential go-ahead layup by Chatfield with 1:18 left
• The Rams got off to a fast start, grabbing three offensive rebounds early in the game to garner a 10-point lead by the midway point of the first half. VCU eventually stretched its advantage to 21-8 on a layup by senior forward Kuany Kuany at the 8:01 mark
• Seattle would tie the game with an 11-0 run at the 2:56 mark of the first and took a 28-27 lead into the break

NOTABLE

• The Rams converted 17-of-22 free throws, including 6-of-6 in the final minute
• VCU has won three straight games
• Saturday marked the first meeting between these two schools
• The Black and Gold blocked seven shots
• The VCU bench outscored Seattle's 19-3

NEXT UP
VCU will travel to Orlando, Fla. during the Thanksgiving holiday for the ESPN Events Invitational at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Nov. 23, 24 and 26. The Rams will open with Iowa State on Thanksgiving at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2.