RICHMOND, Va. – In a game that saw both teams score their lowest point total of the season, home-standing VCU edged the University of Dayton 49-47 Friday night.
Dayton had a shot at the end of the game that would have sent it into overtime, but DaRon Holmes II’s one-handed banker from just outside the lane came off the rim with a second to go.
Nate Santos led all scorers with 19 points. Holmes was the game’s second-leading scorer with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Dayton is now 19-4 overall and in second place in the Atlantic 10 with a 9-2 record. VCU is 16-8 and 8-3 in the A-10.
GAME RECAP
1st Half – VCU 25, Dayton 22
• Nate Santos opened the scoring with a three from the right corner at the 18;43 mark
• VCU scored the next five points to take the lead with 15:06 left in the half.
• Santos tied it 31 seconds later, but the Rams scored on the next possession and Dayton would not lead again.
• The game was either tied or a one-score game for 12:31 of the remaining 14:15 of the half.
2nd Half – VCU 49, Dayton 47
• Santos scored first again, with a tough layup through traffic to make it a one-point game.
• VCU scored the next five points in the next 55 seconds, and seven of the next eight to lead 32-25 with 18:11 left.
• UD got back to within two, 43-41 with 8:30 to go on layups by Isaac Jack, Enoch Cheeks and Santos
• The Rams led by seven, 49-42 at the six-minute mark.
• Koby Brea hit a three to make the score 49-45 with 4:46 left.
• Santos drained two clutch free throws at the 3:05 mark to make it a two-point game.
• Dayton’s last three possessions were a step out of bounds on the sideline, an offensive hooking foul on a drive and the shot that could have sent it to overtime.
