VCU closed out the regular season with a 68–62 road win over Dayton on Friday night at UD Arena, snapping the Flyers' six-game winning streak and ending their run of 14 consecutive Senior Day victories.
The Rams led for 27:54 of game action, shot 49% from the field to Dayton's 45.5%, and held the Flyers to just 18.2% from three-point range on 4-of-22 shooting.
The game was a back-and-forth battle in the first half, with the lead changing 12 times and the game tied on seven occasions. Lazar Djokovic opened the scoring with a layup and a free throw on VCU's first two possessions.
The Rams then ignited an 11-0 run just before the 10-minute mark, turning a two-point deficit into a 19-13 advantage. Barry Evans punctuated the surge with five straight points, and his second three-pointer of the half — with 33 seconds left on the clock — reclaimed a 37-34 VCU lead after Dayton had briefly taken a one-point edge at the free throw line.
Javon Bennett hit a buzzer-beating baseline jumper to pull the Flyers within one at the break, 37-36.
The second half was more of the same.
Dayton grabbed its last lead at 47-44 following a fast-break dunk from De'Shayne Montgomery, but Evans answered immediately with a triple to knot it at 47. Terrence Hill Jr. then hit a corner three as part of a 7-0 VCU run that pushed the margin to 52-49 with 12:03 remaining.
The Rams stretched the lead to six at 54-48 before Dayton made it a two-possession game in the final four minutes. Hill Jr. delivered the knockout blow — a step-back jumper in the paint with 1:24 left that made it 66-62.
Djokovic sealed it at the free throw line with four seconds remaining, going 2-of-2 to close out the 68-62 final.
It was VCU's second Quad-1 win of the season, with both coming against Dayton. The Rams have now won 13 of their last 14 games.
Key Performances
Team Notes
Up Next
With the win, VCU improves to 15–3 in A-10 play and 24–7 overall. The Rams return to action on Friday, March 13, playing in the A-10 Tournament Quarterfinals at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Tip-off is set for 11:30 AM on the USA Network.
The Rams led for 27:54 of game action, shot 49% from the field to Dayton's 45.5%, and held the Flyers to just 18.2% from three-point range on 4-of-22 shooting.
The game was a back-and-forth battle in the first half, with the lead changing 12 times and the game tied on seven occasions. Lazar Djokovic opened the scoring with a layup and a free throw on VCU's first two possessions.
The Rams then ignited an 11-0 run just before the 10-minute mark, turning a two-point deficit into a 19-13 advantage. Barry Evans punctuated the surge with five straight points, and his second three-pointer of the half — with 33 seconds left on the clock — reclaimed a 37-34 VCU lead after Dayton had briefly taken a one-point edge at the free throw line.
Javon Bennett hit a buzzer-beating baseline jumper to pull the Flyers within one at the break, 37-36.
The second half was more of the same.
Dayton grabbed its last lead at 47-44 following a fast-break dunk from De'Shayne Montgomery, but Evans answered immediately with a triple to knot it at 47. Terrence Hill Jr. then hit a corner three as part of a 7-0 VCU run that pushed the margin to 52-49 with 12:03 remaining.
The Rams stretched the lead to six at 54-48 before Dayton made it a two-possession game in the final four minutes. Hill Jr. delivered the knockout blow — a step-back jumper in the paint with 1:24 left that made it 66-62.
Djokovic sealed it at the free throw line with four seconds remaining, going 2-of-2 to close out the 68-62 final.
It was VCU's second Quad-1 win of the season, with both coming against Dayton. The Rams have now won 13 of their last 14 games.
Key Performances
- Lazar Djokovic — 16 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast
- Terrence Hill Jr. — 13 pts, 3 ast
- Barry Evans — 11 pts, 6 reb, 1 stl
- Brandon Jennings — 8 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl
Team Notes
- VCU secured its second Quad-1 win of the season
- Rams held Dayton to 14% from deep in the second half
- VCU bench outscored Dayton bench 21–13
- Rams improved to 8-6 all-time at UD Arena
- VCU finished the regular season 24-7 overall
Up Next
With the win, VCU improves to 15–3 in A-10 play and 24–7 overall. The Rams return to action on Friday, March 13, playing in the A-10 Tournament Quarterfinals at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Tip-off is set for 11:30 AM on the USA Network.
