How It Went Down
In a highly anticipated game for both teams, VCU ended up looking like their usual selves, beating the Dayton Flyers for the third time this season, 73-68. Although the Rams won by only five points on the final scoreboard, the Flyers never seemed to be competitive for the majority of this game.
VCU started the game on an 11-1 run, and it never got better from there. The star of the first half was Bones Hyland, of course, who finished the half with 23 points, shooting 69% from the field. It was such a great half for Bones that he finished off his amazing performance with a corner fadeaway three pointer with around 1.5 seconds left on the game clock. It truly was a masterful performance from the sophomore guard.
In addition to Bones, the VCU defense was able to force 9 first half turnovers for Dayton, which helped to build the lead to double digits throughout the first half. VCU would go into the half leading Dayton by eleven.
For Dayton, they really did not get anything going until the second half. At one point, Hyland was hurt with what appeared to be a cramp of some sort, but the Flyers could not take advantage of the star’s absence. VCU ended up increasing the lead by as many as 19 points on the Flyers. Even then, Dayton made it interesting, even with Bones back in the game later on. A few stops on defense paired with a few threes from Jalen Crutcher and Ibi Watson helped Dayton to climb back to within 7 points with about 3:30 remaining in the second half.
All of this would go for naught as the Flyers tried to full court press on VCU to force some bad possessions and passes, but the Rams were able to beat it easily and add on to the lead going up between 9 and 13 points. Dayton would end up getting back in it near the end with a Koby Brea three, but the time was below a minute at this point. Dayton had to foul, which they chose poorly by fouling VCU’s best free throw shooters in Bones Hyland and Ace Baldwin. They would nail them to clinch the victory and send Dayton packing for home.
Stats That Mattered
Bones Hyland was the best for VCU in this game, finishing with 30 points and 10 rebounds.
Hasan Ward and Ace Baldwin finished with 10 points each for the Rams. Ward also had 3 blocks in this one.
Corey Douglass had 8 points off the bench for VCU.
Jalen Crutcher had his best game against VCU this year, finishing with 21 points and 2 assists.
Jordy Tshimanga has a great game with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Ibi Watson was also good for the Flyers with 10 points on 2-5 from three. He also chipped in 6 rebounds.
Betting Interests
VCU covered the original -4 point spread with the 5 point victory.
The total was set at 135, which was hit with an over with both teams combining for 141.
Up Next
VCU will play the winner of Davidson and George Mason on Saturday night, which is happening as of this writing. The game will be on NBC SN at 9:00 PM est.
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