New Mexico went up nine with a 14-1 second-half run, then withstood a 9-0 VCU run, breaking the tie with a Jake Hall three on the way to an 81-78 win over the Rams at the Siegel Center on Wednesday night.
VCU (6-4, NET: 57), which led by as many as nine in the first half, had four guys in double figures – Nyk Lewis (14 points), Brandon Jennings (13 points, six assists, five rebounds, four steals, three blocks), Lazar Djokovic (13 points, five boards) and Jadrian Tracey (12 points).
Hall had 24 points (9-of-15 FG, 5-of-7 3FG) for New Mexico (7-2, NET: 58).
The Rams will host Niagara (2-7, NET: 353) on Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. The contest will air on MASN and ESPN+.