VCU Leans on Its Defense in 57-54 Win over Duquesne

Richmond, Va. – VCU’s defense flexed its muscles in the second half, holding Duquesne to just 27.3% shooting in a 57-54 win on Saturday afternoon at the Siegel Center.

Defense Shines in Second Half

After allowing Duquesne to shoot 48.1% in the first half, VCU clamped down in the second. The Rams held the Dukes to just 9-of-33 shooting in the final 20 minutes, including 0-of-8 from three-point range.

“Our defense was phenomenal in the second half,” VCU head coach Mike Rhoades said. “We made them take tough shots and contested everything.”

Haskins Leads the Way

Junior guard Ace Haskins led the Rams with 15 points, including a key three-pointer with 2:32 remaining that gave VCU a 54-49 lead.

“Ace hit some big shots for us down the stretch,” Rhoades said. “He’s a tough matchup because he can shoot it and he can create his own shot.”

Balanced Scoring

VCU had four players score in double figures, including Haskins, Jayden Nunn (12 points), Brandon Johns Jr. (11 points), and Jalen Deloach (10 points). The Rams shot 42.9% from the field and made 7-of-19 three-pointers.

“We had a lot of guys step up today,” Haskins said. “We’re a deep team and we have a lot of guys who can score.”

Turning Point

With VCU leading 49-48, Duquesne’s Dae Dae Grant missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer with 4:08 remaining. Haskins grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball up the court, finding Nunn for a layup that gave the Rams a 51-48 lead.

Dukes Miss Opportunities

Duquesne had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, but Tevin Brewer’s three-pointer bounced off the rim. The Dukes shot just 27.3% from the field and made only 4-of-21 three-pointers.

“We had a lot of open looks, but we just couldn’t knock them down,” Duquesne head coach Keith Dambrot said. “VCU’s defense was really good in the second half.”

Conclusion

VCU’s defense was the difference in the game, holding Duquesne to just 27.3% shooting in the second half. The Rams also had four players score in double figures, led by Haskins’ 15 points.

The win moves VCU to 11-4 overall and 2-0 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Rams will host George Washington on Tuesday night. Duquesne falls to 6-9 overall and 0-2 in the A-10. The Dukes will host Saint Joseph’s on Tuesday night.

Analysis

VCU’s defense has been a strength all season, and it was on full display in the second half against Duquesne.

The Rams held the Dukes to just 9-of-33 shooting in the final 20 minutes, including 0-of-8 from three-point range. VCU’s length and athleticism made it difficult for Duquesne to get clean looks at the basket.

VCU also had a balanced scoring attack, with four players scoring in double figures. This makes the Rams a difficult team to defend, as opponents can’t focus on stopping just one player.

The win over Duquesne was a good step forward for VCU, which is now 11-4 overall and 2-0 in the A-10. The Rams will face a tougher test on Tuesday when they host George Washington, but they have shown that they have the potential to be a contender in the conference.