Score: VCU 68, Dayton 62
Location: Dayton, Ohio (UD Arena)
Records: VCU 24-7 (15-3 A-10), Dayton 21-10 (12-6)
 
The short story: Junior forward Lazar Djokovic supplied 16 points and six rebounds to lead a balanced effort as VCU battled past Dayton Friday night at UD Arena in the regular season finale for both teams.
 
OPENING TIP

• Djokovic led three Rams in double figures. He converted 5-of-10 attempts from the field, as well as 6-of-8 free throws
• Sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr. kicked in 13 points and three assists for the Black and Gold
• Senior forward Barry Evans provided 11 points and six rebounds for VCU. He connected on 3-of-5 tries from beyond the arc
• Four other Rams scored at least six points, including sophomore guard Brandon Jennings, who added eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals
• Javon Bennett led all players with 17 points for the Flyers

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU shot 49 percent (25-of-51) from the floor on the night, including 52 percent (11-of-21) in the second half alone. The Rams held the Flyers to 34 percent (11-of-32) shooting in the second half. Dayton shot just 4-of-22 from 3-point range in the game
• Timely shot making down the stretch helped carry the Rams across the finish line. Back-to-back buckets by Bennett and De'Shayne Montgomery pulled Dayton within 62-60 with 3:57 remaining. But on the ensuing possession, Djokovic buried a turnaround hook shot in the lane to give VCU breathing room. The Flyers' Amael L'Etang answered with a putback a short time later to make it 64-62 with 1:47 left. On VCU's next trip down the floor, Hill knocked down a fadeaway jumper in the late to keep Dayton at bay. The Flyers missed their final three shots of the game as VCU held on for the win 

NOTABLE

• The game featured seven ties and 12 lead changes. The largest lead by either team Friday was six points
• VCU is 8-6 all-time at Dayton
• The Rams finished 15-3 in A-10 play for the second straight year. VCU has secured the No. 2 seed in next week's conference tournament

NEXT UP
VCU will take on a team to be determined on the quarterfinal round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament on Friday, March 13 at 5 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa.