The Rams fall short against the Flyers, 62-58

VCU junior guard Adrian ‘Ace’ Baldwin Jr attempts a shot over defenders in a game against Dayton. Photo by Kaitlyn Fulmore
Bersabeh Kemaw, Contributing Writer
The Dayton Flyers defeated the Rams after a close battle that went down to the final seconds, making it the third loss at home against the Flyers for the Rams.
The Flyers won the jump off but were unable to score. After a foul early in the game against VCU sophomore forward Jalen DeLoach, Dayton had two free throw opportunities. Dayton junior forward Toumani Camara made one of two shots, putting up the first score on the board for the game, according to Statbroadcast.
The Flyers and the black and gold then went back and forth throughout the game, with a few shooting droughts for both teams.
VCU shot a total of 21% at the three-point line tonight and 39% at the field goal line, according to Statbroadcast.
The Rams led the game at the start and were able to maintain their lead for most of the half, but the Flyers continued to answer back.
The Flyers went on a 6-0 run at the 12-minute mark, their largest run in the game, putting the scoreboard at 17-16, with the Rams still in the lead.
Dayton had its first lead at the five minute mark, after Camara scored a three point shot, making the score 26-25.
Although VCU redshirt sophomore Jamir Watkins secured a three-point shot with 18 seconds left after a turnover by Dayton, the Flyers still had the lead, going into halftime at 36-32.
Camara shot a three-point jumper to start the second half, but VCU went on a 4-0 right after, at the 17-minute mark, tying the score at 39-39.
The Flyers took back the lead but VCU junior point guard Adrian “Ace” Baldwin Jr. made a stepback jumper, making the game a tie, yet again. Both teams continued to go neck-and-neck, however, Dayton was back in the lead at the nine-minute mark.
With two separate fouls against the Rams, the Flyers made a total of four free-throw points with less than 20 seconds on the clock. The Flyers kept their lead and came out with a 62-58 win.
The lack in defense was prominent throughout the night, resulting in Camara and Dayton sophomore forward DaRon Holmes II to end the game with double doubles, with Camara also scoring 26 points.
VCU graduate student forward Brandon Johns Jr. said the Rams have to continue practicing, getting back on the floor and grinding.
“I know I definitely gotta do a better job on the defensive end especially with him [Toumani Camara] and players like him,” Johns said.
Johns also emphasized the importance of being able to stop teams in the first half, so the Rams can have a better second half, and play better offensively as well.
“There were a couple times we took some tough two’s and passed it out of bounds,” Johns said. “I think it’s just about being disciplined in crunch time for sure.”
The black and gold missed many free throw opportunities, ending the first half with 40% from the charity stripe and the second half at 53%, with a total of 50% for the night, according to Statbroadcast.
DeLoach took the blame for the way the game panned out, mentioning the free throw opportunities he failed to make.
“The game was on me, I missed too many free throws,” DeLoach said. “3-7, you gotta be better at the free throw line than that.”
VCU men’s basketball head coach Mike Rhoades said the team played flustered and pressed in tonight’s game.
“We took a lot of tough two’s,” Rhoades said. “We did get downhill and drew a lot of fouls, but we didn’t make free throws, you gotta make free throws.”
As the Rams prepare for their face off against Rhode Island next week, Rhoades said the team will have to learn from tonight to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
“Today wasn’t good enough. Gotta learn from it,” Rhoades said. “You can learn a lot, even late in the year like this, how to become a better team.”
The Rams will play against the Rhode Island Rams on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m., at the Ryan Arena. The game will be televised on ESPN+.