Day 2 starts with Dayton vs VCU:
Pregame: You can tell VCU is in the house. Lots of black and yell… their band and are as loud as all get out. In other words, this should be fun.
VCU came out blazing. De’Riante Jenkins opened the game with a three pointer. They got another one from Sean Mobley. The Rams are motivated in the halfcourt on defense. They are forcing Dayton into rushed and off balanced shots. Question is, can VCU keep the defensive intensity for 40 minutes? I would give you some stats but statsbroadcast still tells me that the event hasn’t started.
First Media Timeout:VCU 12 Dayton 8
Well I heard the first movie reference from a VCU fan who implored the Rams to “put ’em in a body bag … sweep the leg”. Anyway… Dayton is starting to get their sea legs on offense. Showing some success in the lane. VCU is bombing away with a measure of success. Oh… StatBroadcast has finally told us that the event has started.
Second Media Timeout:VCU 20 Dayton 16
Dayton’s defense is started to be effective. Closing out fast enough to make VCU very hesitant on the perimeter. Forcing VCU into turnovers. Offensively, they are driving at the Rams. Even took the lead. VCU might want to use Tillman and Santos-Silva in the paint a little more. It’s obvious they’ve survived the initial VCU punch without stumbling around the ring like Rocky against Drago.
Third Media Timeout:VCU 26 Dayton 21
This game as gotten a bit on the physical side. Emotions running high and it’s getting really chippy. Anthony Grant giving the ref an earful. With that being said, Dayton should be lucky to be down only nine. They have gotten six offensive rebounds for ten second chance points. VCU’s energy is off the charts. They are getting downhill full speed off screen and roll. Nine Rams have scored.
Fourth Media Timeout: VCU 36 Dayton 27
Dayton ends the half on a decent run to cut the lead down to 5. They will have to get out on the VCU shooters or start hoping that they will miss.
Halftime: VCU 38 Dayton 33
Second Half
VCU starts off the half the way they started the game. Lots of energy on defense. That spurred them to a 10 point lead. By the way, StatBroadcast has frozen… again… (sigh). Dayton fighting back again. And, remember what I said earlier? Well we had some trash talking between De’Riante Jenkins and Jalen Crutcher results in a double technical.
First Media Timeout: VCU 45 Dayton 40
Dayton used a 7-0 run to cut the lead to three points. That’s when VCU went inside to Tillman (still wondering why they haven’t done that more) to quell the run. Dayton had a chance to cut it to one or tie but turned it over. Isaac Vann finished the sequence with a dunk pushing the VCU back up by five. Then they followed it up with another turnover. Dayton letting some opportunities slip away.
Dayton 30 Second Timeout: VCU 50 Dayton 45
I reiterate… very lively crowd behind me. Play continues to be choppy. Flyers called timeout after diving on a loose ball. VCU has had chances to push the lead out and haven’t been able to take advantage. With all the physicality, there’s only been 15 combined free throws (up to this point).
Dayton Timeout: VCU 53 Dayton 48
VCU’s scoring has been so balanced they still don’t have anyone in double digits even though, they probably will by the next timeout. You can see a sense of desperation from Dayton. They are after every loose ball with a sense of urgency that VCU isn’t matching. We’ve moved from movie references to “call it fair”, “call it both ways” from the VCU fans behind me. Lets see if VCU struggles from the free throw line. Both teams are in the bonus with 9+ minutes left. Mobley with an offensive rebound and stick back. He’s been huge for the Rams. Leads the team in scoring.
Cunningham is straight giving Tillman the business in the lane. Three point play cuts it to one. The Dayton big man has 17 and 9.
And there it is, Dayton has taken the lead 58-57 (7:56). The Flyers didn’t like the momentum they gained. They give up an open three pointer to Jenkins. Splash.
Media Timeout: VCU 60 Dayton 58
VCU’s free throw shooting my be the death of them. They can’t buy two and Dayton has taken a three point lead after this game has been in the Rams control all afternoon. Pressure is being felt. An unforced turnover had Trey Landers and Josh Cunningham chirping at each other.
Tillman ties it on a dunk and VCU loafs back and gives up a three to Jordan Davis. Terrible mistake at this time of the game. Flyers up three with the ball.
Timeout VCU: Dayton 70 VCU 65
A three by Jenkins and a drive by Vann has us tied with under two minutes. Should be a fantastic finish. Dayton now has back to back shot clock violations. Not the time of game for that tomfoolery.
Johnny Williams’ circus layup puts VCU back up. I believe he flipped that with the left hand.
Timeout Dayton: VCU 72 Dayton 70
Anthony Grant goes screen and roll and gets the switch that he wants but great help side defense causes a turnover. J Williams at the line for VCU up two with 33.5 seconds left.
Johnny Williams only makes one out of two but Dayton’s Landers misses a contested layup. Williams is back at the where he made both this time. Up 5, 19 seconds left.
Oye. After a layup by Landers, Dayton doesn’t get the foul call they want and, yes, they tried to foul. They finally get one with three seconds laugh. Simms two free throws seal it.
Final: VCU 77 Dayton 72
