It took every second of 45 minutes, but a buzzer beater by Fordham would hand the VCU Rams (14-5, 4-2 A10) their second consecutive loss in A10 play.
Fordham opened the game on an 11-2 run, fueled by back-to-back three pointers. JeQuan Lewis (4pts, 4reb, 10ast) was the lone VCU Ram to score a field goal in the first seven minutes and 53 seconds.
Freshman Samir Doughty would score all 8 of his points in the first half for VCU. Lewis and Ahmed Hamdy-Mohamed both took 4 points each into the locker room.
VCU faced it’s biggest half-time deficit of the season against Fordham, 32-20.
Javontae Hawkins led all scorers on the night with 22 points for the Rams of Fordham. Joseph Chartouny (15pts), Antwoine Anderson (15pts) and Christian Sengfelder (10pts) also climbed into double-digit points on the night.
Despite never having a lead for 40 minutes of basketball, VCU was able to tie the game three times in the final four minutes and force overtime.
Minutes after hitting his second three pointer of the night to make bring the VCU Rams within one, 51-50, Doug Brooks would hit another three pointer to tie the game again at 53.
Junior Justin Tillman (20pts, 5reb) would get the three point play under the basket with just 41 seconds left to once again tie the game at 56.
A baseline jumper with 15 seconds into the overtime period by Tillman would give VCU the first lead of the night. Moments later a steal and basket by Jonathan Williams (8pts,6ast), followed by a free throw from Tillman, would lead to a five point advantage.
With the game tied again at 67, Anderson would hit the jump shot as time expired to cement the victory for Fordham.
VCU will return to the Siegel Center Saturday at 2:00PM to host the Explorers of La Salle.
