VCU Vs. Kansas Score: Joey Rodriguez, VCU Maintain Nine-Point Lead With 3:39 Remaining

VCU keeps trying to hold on in its Elite Eight game against Kansas, and it is doing so thanks to Joey Rodriguez. The point guard hit a three-pointer, then drove and found Bradford Burgess for a three to maintain a 63-54 VCU lead with 3:39 remaining.

Tyshawn Taylor continued his erratic game by air-balling a three-pointer, but VCU committed another turnover on its ensuing posession. Kansas, though, responded with another turnover of its own, though VCU could not take advantage because Rodriguez air-balled a three-pointer of his own.

VCU went to a zone defense, and Kansas still couldn’t take advantage. Markieff Morris missed a free-throw line jumper, and after a blocked shot by Markieff Morris, Tyrel Reed missed a point-blank layup on the break while being fouled, then hit just one of two free throws to cut VCU’s lead to 57-50 with 5:46 remaining.

Kansas cut the lead to 57-52 on a layup by Taylor, but Rodriguez, despite shooting an air ball on his previous attempt, rose and fired a three-pointer to push the lead back to eight. Reid missed two straight free throws, but Marcus Morris ripped the ball away from a VCU player on the rebound for a putback. Rodriguez then drove and kicked out to Bradford Burgess, who nailed his wide open three at the top of the key.

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