Score: VCU 73, Dayton 68
Location: Dayton, Ohio (UD Arena)
Records: VCU 19-5 (9-2 Atlantic 10), Dayton 16-8 (6-5)
 
The short story: VCU used a stunning 12-0 run in the waning moments, and graduate guard Zeb Jackson proved nearly flawless at the free throw line down the stretch as the Rams shocked Dayton Friday night.
 
OPENING TIP

• Jackson supplied a team-high 17 points and five rebounds for the Rams. He connected on a career-high 13-of-14 free throws in the contest
• Graduate guard Max Shulga added 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals for VCU
• The Black and Gold also got a boost from graduate guard Phillip Russell, who provided 10 points and junior forward Christian Fermin, who chipped in five points, seven rebounds and two blocks off the bench
• Nate Santos led all players with 18 points for Dayton 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU trailed 59-54 until Shulga buried a 3-pointer from the wing with 3:17 remaining. That bucket sparked a 12-0 VCU run over the next 2:11 to put the Rams in control. A steal by graduate forward Jack Clark yielded a Shulga layup to tie the game at 59-59 with 2:46 left. Later, a Fermin traditional three-point play at the 1:39 mark expanded VCU's lead to 64-59. Santos knocked down a 3-pointer to pull the Flyers within 69-66 with 27.7 remaining, but Jackson made four straight free throws in the final seconds to clinch the victory
• The Black and Gold forced 19 Dayton turnovers and outscored the Flyers 30-9 on turnover opportunities
• The Rams owned a 44-34 rebounding advantage on the glass, including 23-12 on the offensive glass
• VCU connected on 17-of-19 free throw attempts and held the Flyers to 37 percent (19-of-51) shooting
• The Rams used a 6-0 burst, including a breakaway slam dunk by graduate guard Joe Bamisile, to take a 31-28 lead into the locker room at halfime 

NOTABLE

• VCU has won four of its past five games at UD Arena. The Rams lead the all-time series with Dayton 19-10
• Jackson's 13 free throws were one shy of tying the school single-game record of 14, held by four players 

NEXT UP
VCU will meet George Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Smith Center in Washington, D.C. That game will tip off at 7 p.m. on Peacock.