Photos and Game Summary: Rams Take First with Win Over St. Bonaventure

Official Game Summary

RAMS THWART BONA, TAKE CONTROL OF FIRST IN A-10

 Score: VCU 67, St. Bonaventure 64
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 15-4 (8-2 A-10), St. Bonaventure 10-3 (8-3)

 The short story: Sophomore guard Bones Hyland scored 22 points, and VCU held off St. Bonaventure down the stretch to secure sole possession of first place in the Atlantic 10 Conference Friday night at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

 OPENING TIP

• Hyland was an efficient 9-of-10 from the charity stripe and grabbed eight rebounds in the win
• Junior forward Vince Williams Jr. chipped in 11 points and tallied nine boards for VCU
• VCU freshman guard Ace Baldwin Jr. submitted an all-around performance with seven points, six rebounds and four assists
• Jalen Adaway led the Bonnies with 23 points

THE DIFFERENCE

• St. Bonaventure whittled what had been a 12-point VCU second-half lead to just two, but VCU converted 5-of-6 free throws in the final minute to hold on for the win
• VCU outrebounded the St. Bonaventure 43-34, including a 19-10 advantage on the offensive side of the ball
• The Rams outscored the Bonnies 18-11 off turnovers and 16-10 on second-chance opportunities
• Knotted at 24 a piece, VCU went on a 9-2 run that spanned the last four minutes and 25 seconds of the first half. The run was capped off by a put-back layup from senior forward Corey Douglas as time expired
• With nine minutes remaining in the second half, St. Bonaventure cut the VCU lead down to two with a 9-3 run. The Rams quickly responded with an 8-0 run of their own to stretch the lead back to 10

NOTABLE

• VCU took over sole possession of first place in the Atlantic 10 standings with the win
• VCU has won five straight games, and Friday’s victory avenged a 70-54 loss at St. Bonaventure on Jan. 20 in Olean, N.Y.
• The Rams improved to 7-4 all time against the Bonnies
• Hyland has recorded 20 or more points in nine games this season. The Rams are 8-1 when the sophomore records 20+ points

NEXT UP

VCU will face crosstown rival Richmond in the Richmond Area Honda Dealers Capital City Classic on Friday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Siegel Center. The contest will air on CBS Sports Network.