No. 14 Virginia Commonwealth 59, No. 25 Virginia 56: Treveon Graham drained a long 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining as the Rams edged the host Cavaliers in the first meeting between the in-state schools since 1998.
After a free throw from Malcolm Brogdon that tied the game at 56 with 10 seconds left, Rob Brandenberg found Graham at the left wing and the junior guard sank a 3-pointer from about 25 feet away. Following a pair of timeouts, Justin Anderson was able to get a 3-point attempt off before time expired, but the shot fell short.
Graham scored 13 of his game-high 22 points after halftime and was the only player to finish in double figures for Virginia Commonwealth (2-0), which improved to 2-10 all-time against Virginia (1-1). Joe Harris paced the Cavaliers with 18 points while Brogdon added 10.
Neither side established more than a six-point lead during a cold-shooting first half in which the teams combined for 15 field goals. After Juvonte Reddic hit a driving layup to give Virginia Commonwealth the lead at 42-40, Virginia held the Rams to one field goal over the next 5:20 to pull ahead by seven with seven minutes left.
Graham scored five straight points to spark a 12-4 surge, and capped the run to give Virginia Commonwealth a 56-55 lead with a go-ahead jumper with 1:18 remaining, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
GAME NOTEBOOK: This contest marked the first meeting between the two schools in which both programs were ranked. … The Rams shot 6-of-15 from the foul line, while the Cavaliers were 19-of-33. … Virginia had won 12 of its previous 15 games against in-state teams.
VCU | Virginia | |
Treveon Graham 22 | Scoring | Joe Harris 18 |
Rob Brandenberg 3 | Assists | Malcolm Brogdon 2 |
Juvonte Reddic 5 | Rebounds | Mike Tobey 9 |
Treveon Graham 4 | Free Throws Made | Akil Mitchell 5 |
Rob Brandenberg 3 | Steals | Darion Atkins 1 |
Jarred Guest 1 | Blocks | Darion Atkins 2 |