Postseason NIT First Round
Score: VCU 70, Villanova 61
Location: Villanova, Pa. (Finneran Pavilion)
Records: VCU 23-13, Villanova 18-16
 
The short story: Senior guard Joe Bamisile scored 17 points and classmate Max Shulga buried a critical 3-pointer in a backbreaking VCU stretch run as the Rams topped Villanova in the first round of the NIT Wednesday night.
 
OPENING TIP

• Bamisile knocked down 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, including a pair of 3-pointers. He also corralled four rebounds
• Shulga added 10 points and six assists for the Black and Gold
• Sophomore forward Tobi Lawal came off the bench to provide eight points, 10 rebounds and two steals for the Rams, while redshirt freshman guard Fats Billups III kicked in nine points on a trio of 3-pointers
• Eric Dixon led all players with 21 points and 13 rebounds for Villanova

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU finished the game on a 12-3 run over the final 4:40. Lawal hit a pair of free throws at the 4:40 mark to give the Rams a 60-58 lead. Moments later, following two VCU defensive stops, Shulga splashed a 3-pointer from just right of the top of the arc to push VCU in front 64-58 with 2:56 remaining. Shulga added a pair of free throws, and the Rams broke the Wildcats' full-court press for breakaway dunks by Bamisile and Lawal in the waning moments to cement the win
• The Rams, who owned a 31-30 halftime lead, shot 48 percent (12-of-25) in the second half on the way to victory
• VCU knocked down 11-of-30 from long range, while Villanova shot 6-of-23 from 3-point range
• The Rams' bench outscored the Wildcats' reserves 42-12

NOTABLE

• The game featured 17 lead changes and 10 ties
• Wednesday's win sends VCU to the second round of the NIT for the third time in program history
• VCU won the rebounding battle 34-32

NEXT UP
VCU advances to the NIT Second Round, where it will face South Florida on Sunday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Tampa, Fla. That contest will air nationally on ESPNU.