In a game that was a back-and-forth rock fight from the opening tip, it was not surprising that it came down to the final play. A potential buzzer-beating three attempt by Doug Brooks bounced of the front rim as the Rams dropped an overtime loss to the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech, 76-73
The game was the Rams second straight loss to a power conference opponent after losing to Illinois on Saturday, 64-46.
Both teams would have bursts of offense which result in 8 lead changes and 7 ties on the night.
Junior Justin Tillman, and seniors JeQuan Lewis and Doug Brooks would combine for 52 of VCU’s 73 points.
Tillman would finish the night with a game-high 26 points and 9 rebounds.
While Lewis had 16 points and 7 assists, GT was able to turn him over 7 times on the night. The two teams combined for a daunting 41 turnovers in 45 minutes of play.
The Yellow Jackets took a 8pt lead into halftime after Corey Hayward hit a three-quarter length buzzer beater for three. GT led for 16:15 minutes of the first half, and 35:29 of the entire game.
VCU was only in control of the score for 3 minutes and 17 seconds.
Brooks recording one of his four steals and followed that with free throws to tie the game at 68 with 2:10 left on the clock in regulation.
Lewis would find Tillman 55 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 70 and force overtime.
VCU took the lead at the 4:06 mark in the overtime period, but GT’s leading scorer on the night, Tadic Jackson (24pts), fired and hit the go-ahead three pointer on the next possession.
A prayer three-point attempt by Doug Brooks that would have forced a second overtime, bounced off the rim.
The Rams would not be able to overcome and fall to a record of 6-3 overall on the year.
The Rams travel to Norfolk on December 10, to face off against ODU. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00PM on ASN.
