PORTLAND, Ore. (WTVR) – The slipper still fits. Based more on their 12 seed than their actual play, the VCU Rams pulled off the first upset of the 2012 NCAA tournament with a 62-59 win over 5th seeded Wichita State Thursday.
For the third straight game, the Rams built a big lead in the second half only to watch it disappear. Against the Shockers, VCU led by as many as 13 points while limiting Wichita 7-footer Garrett Stutz to only 4 points.
But the Shockers came back to take a two point lead on a three pointer from Toure Murry with 2:00 to play, their first lead since being up 5-4 at the 16:17 mark of the first half.
VCU responded with a three-pointer from senior Brad Burgess, who extended his NCAA consecutive starts record to 145. Burgess led the Rams with 16 points.
The Rams locked down the win with a driving lay-up from Darius Theus with just :18 seconds left. Theus, the latest in an impressive string of VCU point guards who have won NCAA games, finished with 10 points.
VCU head coach Shaka Smart credited the Rams' defense which limited Wichita to just 38% shooting for the game and only 31% from behind the 3 point line.
VCU now has seven wins in the tournament as an 11 seed or lower since 2007.
The Rams take on 4th seeded Indiana at 7:15 eastern on Saturday.
