What. Is. Happening.
The basketball gods once again smiled upon the Rams in what was yet another insane ending to a VCU Rams win.
Leading by two, JeQuan Lewis missed the front end of a 1-and-1 that could’ve iced the game for the black and gold, only to see GW’s Yuta Watanabe hit what would have been the second buzzer-beating winning three for an opponent within the past four days against VCU.
But like Saturday’s crazy ending that saw the Rams snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, this Rams team had some more magic left in their cap.
After 0.4 seconds were put back on the clock, JeQuan Lewis set a screen on the inbound-defending Collin Gross, drawing a game-saving 1-and-1 opportunity. Lewis would go to the stripe to hit both, securing the second consecutive improbable win for the Rams, 54-53.
Insane.
This foul sent @VCU_Hoops to the line with 0.4 to go, where JeQuan Lewis connected on both for the win. https://t.co/J7DvFOypmo
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) February 9, 2017
Incredible. @VCU_Hoops was down by one with 0.4 to go, gets the foul call, and knocks down free throws to win it. https://t.co/qVF8VhNAut
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) February 9, 2017
The miracle ending allowed the Rams to survive what had been a horrendous shooting night for 40 minutes of action. GW held the Rams to just 35.8% from field that included single-digit scoring performances from senior leaders JeQuan Lewis (8 points) and Mo Alie-Cox (9).
But despite the cold shooting night combined with negative rebound and turnover margins, VCU picked up a huge road win to move to 19-5 on the season and an Atlantic 10 leading 9-2 in conference play.
Justin Tillman led VCU in the win with a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double. It was the junior big’s 10th consecutive double-digit scoring night.
Freshman starter Samir Doughty added 10 points of his own on 4-8 shooting and added five rebounds in the win.
The win wraps up a VCU sweep of the Colonials this season, having defeated GW in a much less stressful 30-point win earlier this season.
The Rams will bring a five-game winning streak back to the Siegel Center for a Saturday tip against a Davidson team VCU lost to earlier this year.
