Score: VCU 73, Saint Louis 65
Location: St. Louis, Mo. (Chaifetz Arena)
Records: VCU 18-6 (9-2 A-10), Saint Louis 15-8 (7-3)
 
The short story: Junior guard Ace Baldwin Jr. erupted for a career-high 37 points to spark VCU to victory in a battle for first place in the Atlantic 10 Conference Friday night in St. Louis.

OPENING TIP

• Baldwin connected on 12-of-15 field goals, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. He also converted all nine of his free throw attempts. He added two steals, two assists and four rebounds
• Graduate forward Brandon Johns Jr. supplied 15 points and six rebounds for the Black and Gold
• In addition, sophomore forward Jalen DeLoach kicked in 13 points, 11 rebounds and three assists for his fourth double-double of the season for the Rams
• Gibson Jimerson led Saint Louis with 24 points

THE DIFFERENCE

• The two teams were separated by no more than three points during the second half until back-to-back Baldwin jumpers gave VCU a 61-56 lead with 5:00 remaining. Saint Louis' Yuri Collins drove for a layup to cut the Rams lead back to three, but Baldwin answered with another jumper, and DeLoach hit a baby hook on consecutive VCU possessions to push VCU's advantage to 655-58 with 2:05 left
• VCU turned the Billikens over 14 times and outscored Saint Louis 17-11 off turnovers
• The Rams also owned a 33-31 advantage on the glass
• The Billikens hit 5-of-8 from 3-point range in the first half, but VCU held Saint Louis to 3-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc in the second
• VCU closed a back-and-forth first half with a 7-0 run, including a Baldwin 3-pointer with three second left, to take a 34-31 lead into the locker room 

NOTABLE

• With Friday's win, VCU currently sits alone in first place in the A-10 at 9-2. Dayton, which visits the Siegel Center Tuesday, and Saint Louis are tied for second at 7-3
• Friday's game featured 11 ties and 16 lead changes
• VCU has won five straight road games, including three consecutive A-10 ESPN Friday night showcase contests
• Baldwin's 37 points are the most by a Ram since Justin Tillman scored 37 in an overtime win over Dayton on Feb. 10, 2018 at the Siegel Center
• VCU improved to 12-5 all-time against the Billikens

UP NEXT
VCU will host Dayton at the Stuart C. Siegel Center on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. That contest will air on CBS Sports Network.