RICHMOND, Va. – In a game that went down to the final minute, the Saint Joseph's men's basketball team was outlasted by the VCU Rams, 79-72 on Monday afternoon.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Derek Simpson had his third 20-point game of the season, scoring a career-high 27 with four assists.
• Justice Ajogbor netted 10 with nine rebounds and a season-high six blocks.
• Anthony Finkley was in double figures with 10 points.
• Dasear Haskins posted eight points and eight rebounds.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was a scorching start for Saint Joseph's from beyond the arc, starting 4-for-4 from distance, building a 12-7 lead at the initial media timeout.
• The game remained close for the majority of the first half with SJU using an 11-6 run to take a 29-26 lead with just under four minutes remaining. In the final 3:54, however, turnovers by the Hawks and VCU getting hot allowed the Rams to end the half on an 8-0 run and take a 34-29 lead into the locker room.
• In the second half, Saint Joseph's charged out of the gate, starting the frame on an 11-2 run, forcing a timeout by the Rams less than three minutes in.
• After taking the lead in the first two minutes of the half, the Hawks held it until there were nine minutes remaining as a 7-1 run for the Rams gave them a 57-56 lead. Undaunted, SJU took the lead back at 59-57, but a 9-2 VCU run gave it the lead back with 3:33 remaining.
• St. Joe's never let the Rams get too far away and closed to within one possession at 75-72 on Simpson's fifth trey of the night with 28.4 seconds remaining. VCU then converted four free throws down the stretch to create the final score.

 
UP NEXT
The Hawks return to Hagan Arena for a nationally televised showdown against the Dayton Flyers on Saturday, January 24. It is White Out night for St. Joe's. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. with the game to air on CBS Sports Network.