RICHMOND, Va. (Interstat) — In a tense Atlantic 10 Conference clash that came down to the final seconds, VCU held off a determined Duquesne squad for a 71-66 victory on Friday night at the Siegel Center.

The Rams, who led by as many as 10 points in the first half, saw that cushion vanish in the second as the Dukes mounted a persistent comeback, only for VCU to execute in the final minute to secure the win and improve to 25-7 overall. Duquesne fell to 18-15.

The game’s pivotal sequence unfolded in the closing 30 seconds with VCU clinging to a 67-66 lead. After Duquesne’s Tarence Guinyard turned the ball over, VCU’s Nyk Lewis was fouled and calmly sank two free throws with 23 seconds remaining to push the lead to three. On the ensuing possession, Duquesne’s Jimmie Williams saw his potential game-tying three-point attempt blocked by VCU’s Brandon Jennings. Jennings then secured the victory at the line, making two free throws with 11 seconds left for the final margin.

The contest was a tale of two halves, dictated by runs and resilience. VCU built its early advantage behind a balanced attack and stifling defense, taking a 39-29 lead into halftime. The Rams’ lead ballooned to 13 early in the second period before Duquesne began its methodical climb back.

The Dukes chipped away, fueled by the scoring of Alex Williams and the playmaking of Guinyard. A three-pointer from Jake DiMichele with 7:42 to play brought Duquesne within two points at 53-55, setting the stage for a back-and-forth finish. The Dukes finally drew even at 64-64 on a pair of Guinyard free throws with 3:19 remaining, but could never seize the lead.

VCU guard Terrence Hill proved to be the offensive catalyst for the Rams, leading all scorers and consistently answering Duquesne rallies. His pull-up jumper at the 4:19 mark gave VCU a 62-58 lead, and another at 3:38 pushed it to 64-60, each time halting Duquesne momentum. Hill finished with a game-high 20 points.

For Duquesne, Alex Williams matched Hill’s 20 points, providing a critical scoring punch, particularly from beyond the arc. Jimmie Williams added 13 points and five assists, while Guinyard directed the offense with seven assists. David Dixon anchored the interior defense with two blocks.

VCU received significant contributions from its frontcourt. Michael Belle scored 14 points and grabbed key rebounds down the stretch, while Lazar Djokovic added 13 points, including two crucial free throws with 2:13 left to extend a one-point lead to three. Defensively, Brandon Jennings was a disruptive force, recording three blocks and multiple steals, none bigger than his game-sealing rejection in the final moments.

The game was a defensive struggle, with both teams forcing turnovers and contesting shots aggressively. Duquesne’s effort marked a significant improvement from the teams’ first meeting on Jan. 3, a 93-80 VCU victory in Pittsburgh.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably the final 30-second sequence. With the outcome hanging in the balance and Duquesne having erased a double-digit deficit, VCU demonstrated veteran poise. Lewis’s pressure free throws, followed by Jennings’s decisive defensive play and subsequent free throws, showcased the execution required in a tight conference battle. It was a sequence that denied Duquesne a chance to tie or take the lead and ultimately sealed a hard-fought victory for the Rams as they head into the postseason.