Forward Tyler Cavanaugh battled his way to 13 points and 17 rebounds yet an unlikely ending ensured it wouldn't be enough
With .4 seconds, VCU guard Jequan Lewis drew a foul while the Rams looked to inbound the ball. Lewis knocked down both free throw's to help VCU steal the win from George Washington 54-53, denying what looked to be another memorable GW victory, after junior forward Yuta Watanabe knocked down a corner 3-pointer.
GW and VCU fought all game long as two programs who have enjoyed great success in recent years will do. The game saw seven ties and ten lead changes, with neither side ever leading by more than five. Freshman guard Jair Bolden (13 points on 5-9 FG, 1 turnover) was outstanding all game, pacing the Colonials through the Rams vaunted havoc defense while Tyler Cavanaugh held it down in the paint, finishing with a grown man's double double 13 points and 17 rebounds. VCU forward Justin Tillman posted a double double of his own with 11 points and 11 rebounds while guard Samir Doughty and forward Mo Alie Cox added 10 points and 9 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks respectively.
"It was a horrible way to lose a game, I just feel awful for our guys. Yuta hit a tremendous shot... I just feel bad for our guys. Credit to them, they drew up a great play and they baited us into it." said head coach Maurice Joseph.
GW fell to 12-12 on the season while the Rams improved to 19-5. The Colonial's will look to rebound Saturday as the host St Bonaventure at 4:30 pm. Check out the stunning ending below.
Rams forward Justin Tillman was efficient going 4 of 8 from the field, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds
GW freshman guard Jair Bolden played his best game of the season scoring 13 points and only one tuurnover
VCU guard JeQuan Lewis knocked down clutch free throws with .4 seconds to give the Rams their 19th victory of the season