VCU beats Dayton thanks to 12-0 run in final minutes

Here’s a quick recap of the game:

What it means: Dayton (16-8, 6-5) fell four games behind first-place George Mason (18-5, 9-1) in the loss column with seven games to play. The Flyers suffered their fourth loss at home to VCU in the last five years.

VCU (19-5, 9-2) cut George Mason’s lead to a half game. The Rams still control their own destiny in the Atlantic 10 Conference. They play at home against George Mason on Feb. 22.

Dayton is 0-2 against VCU and George Mason and lost both games at home. It’s the first time since the 2020-21 season it has lost two games at home in the same season.

Star of the game: Max Shulga had 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting for VCU. He led the team with eight rebounds.

Stat of the game: Dayton shot 92% (23 of 25) at the free-throw line. VCU shot 89.5% (17 of 19).

Turning point: Dayton led 59-54 with 4 minutes, 54 seconds remaining after Nate Santos made 1 of 2 free throws. It had the same lead entering the final four minutes. Then VCU started a 12-0 run with a 3-pointer by Max Shulga with 3:17 to play.

A turnover by Dayton’s Amaël L’Etang, who had just entered the game for Zed Key, led to a fast-break layup by Shulga with 2:46 to play. That basket tied the game.

After another turnover by Dayton, this one by Javon Bennett, VCU took the lead on two free throws by Zeb Jackson at the 2:37 mark. Dayton committed a turnover on its next possession as well.

A 3-point play by Christian Fermin and a layup by Jackson extended the run to 12-0. VCU led 66-59 with 1:06 to play. Jackson helped clinch the victory by making 5 of 6 free throws in the final 50 seconds.

Shooting struggles: VCU won despite shooting 21.4% (6 of 28) from 3-point range. Dayton shot 36.8% (7 of 19).

Turnover issues: Dayton had 19 turnovers, and VCU had 14. VCU outscored Dayton 30-9 in points off turnovers.

Looking ahead: Dayton plays at Fordham (11-12, 3-7) at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

FIRST-HALF RECAP

VCU outscored Dayton 6-0 in the last minute of the first half to build a 31-28 halftime lead.

Here’s a quick recap of the first half:

Key players: Santos led Dayton with eight points on 2-of-6 shooting. He made 3 of 3 free throws.

Shulga and Phillip Russell each scored eight points on 3-of-7 shooting for VCU.

Key stat: Both teams struggled from 3-point range. Dayton shot 25% (3 of 12). VCU shot 27.3% (3 of 11).

Biggest run: VCU took a 6-2 lead with a 6-0 run in the opening minutes on 3-pointers by Russell and Joe Bamisile.

Dayton comeback: The Flyers trailed 15-9 with 11 minutes, 48 seconds remaining in the half. Dayton trailed until the 4:58 mark when Nate Santos scored to give Dayton a 20-19 lead.

Late turnovers: Dayton led 28-25 with 2:21 remaining after three free throws by Santos. Then, in the last minute, Dayton twice turned the ball over against VCU’s full-court press. The Rams scored off both turnovers to take the lead into halftime.

Dayton had seven turnovers in the half. VCU had eight. VCU outscored Dayton 14-7 in points off turnovers.

Lineup news: Malachi Smith returned to action for Dayton after missing the game Tuesday against Davidson with an illness. Posh Alexander remained in the starting lineup.