Score: VCU 63, Fordham 59
Location: Bronx, N.Y. (Rose Hill Gymnasium)
Records: VCU 17-6 (8-2 Atlantic 10), Fordham 12-11 (3-7)
 
The short story: Junior forward Lazar Djokovic poured in a team-high 17 points, including some critical free throws in the waning moments, as VCU held off a late charge by Fordham Tuesday night in the Bronx.
 
OPENING TIP

• Djokovic scored 11 of his points in the second half as Fordham mounted its charge. He connected on 9-of-12 attempts at the charity stripe and also grabbed four rebounds and blocked two shots
• Senior forward Barry Evans added 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists for the Black and Gold. He converted on 5-of-7 attempts from the floor
• VCU received at least six points from five others, including junior guard Tyrell Ward, who supplied eight points, four rebounds and a pair of blocks
• DeJour Reaves, the Atlantic 10 Conference's leading scorer, led all players with 21 points for Fordham

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU held Fordham to just 29 percent (10-of-34) shooting in the first half on the way to a 35-22 lead at the break. The Black and Gold extended its lead to 16, at 38-22, when senior guard Jadrian Tracey buried a 3-pointer to open the second period
• Fordham never led, but did manage to whittle VCU's advantage down to 61-59 following a pair of Reaves free throws with 33 seconds remaining. However, Djokovic drew a foul on a drive to the basket on the ensuing possession and knocked down both free throws to extend the margin to four. Fordham attempted to call timeout on the following inbounds play, a timeout it did not have, resulting in an administrative technical foul. While VCU was unable to convert the technical, it did force a Fordham turnover on its next inbounds attempt
• VCU outrebounded Fordham, one of the nation's best rebounding teams, 38-30
• Overall, the Black and Gold held Fordham to 36 percent (22-of-62) shooting, including 4-of-18 from beyond the arc

NOTABLE

• The Black and Gold have won a season-high six straight games
• VCU never trailed, and led for 39:20 Tuesday
• VCU improved to 16-1 all-time versus Fordham

NEXT UP
VCU will host Dayton at the Stuart C. Siegel Center on Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2