SPORTS

 

DAVIDSON, N.C. – A late rally was not enough to extend Davidson’s nation-leading 15-game win streak Wednesday night, as VCU edged the Wildcats 70-68 in Atlantic 10 basketball.

It’s the Wildcats’ first loss in more than two months, as they fall to 16-3 overall and 6-1 in the A-10, having split the season series with the Rams.

Despite trailing 67-52 with five minutes to play, the Wildcats got within a point twice in the final 1:32, first at 67-66 after Foster Loyer made three free throws, and then at 69-68 after he made two more. The Wildcats then went to Luka Brajkovic, who scored a game-high 23 points, on the next two possessions, but he was called for a charge and had a 3-point attempt blocked, as the Rams held on.

Brajkovic turned in his fourth double-double of the season, and third in the last five games, adding 12 boards. Hyunjung Lee (13 points), Loyer (12) and Michael Jones (10) also scored in double figures, but the Wildcats struggled to get open shots from beyond the arc, finishing 3-of-14.

Down 67-52, the Wildcats battled back with 14 straight points to give themselves a chance, starting with a Nelson Boachie-Yiadom floater. Lee followed with two free throws, and Brajkovic added a layup before a Jones trey from the right wing got the Wildcats within six at 67-61 with 3:04 to play. Brajkovic added two free throws, before Loyer stepped to the line and cut it to 67-66.

VCU, which came in averaging just under six made 3-pointers per game, drilled seven in the first 20 minutes, including four straight as part of a 12-2 run to close the period and take a 37-29 lead into the half.

Vince Williams battled foul trouble, but still led the Rams with 16 points, while Adrian Baldwin, Jr., had 15.

Up Next
Davidson will conclude its brief homestand Saturday with a noon tip against La Salle.