VCU edges Pitt in Legends Classic 71-67
- Nov. 17, 2022 09:36 PM EST
Pittsburgh's Jamarius Burton (11) shoots over Virginia Commonwealth's Jayden Nunn (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the consolation round of the Legends Classic Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Pittsburgh's Jamarius Burton (11) shoots over Virginia Commonwealth's Jayden Nunn (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the consolation round of the Legends Classic Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Pittsburgh's Jamarius Burton (11) passes away from Virginia Commonwealth's Brandon Johns Jr. (30) to Guillermo Diaz Graham (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the consolation round of the Legends Classic Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Pittsburgh's Greg Elliott, center, fights for control of the ball with Virginia Commonwealth's Jayden Nunn, left, and Jamir Watkins, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the consolation round of the Legends Classic Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Pittsburgh head coach Jeff Capel and Blake Hinson (2) react during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Virginia Commonwealth in the consolation round of the Legends Classic Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Pittsburgh's Blake Hinson (2) drives past Virginia Commonwealth's Jalen DeLoach (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the consolation round of the Legends Classic Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Virginia Commonwealth's Jamir Watkins, center, is defended by Pittsburgh's Guillermo Diaz Graham, right, and Jorge Diaz Graham, left, dduring the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the consolation round of the Legends Classic Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Virginia Commonwealth head coach Mike Rhoades gestures to a player during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Pittsburgh in the consolation round of the Legends Classic Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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NEW YORK (AP) — Brandon Johns Jr. scored 18 points, Zeb Jackson added a career-high 16 points and VCU edged Pittsburgh 71-67 on Thursday night in the consolation game of the Legends Classic.

In a streaky second half, VCU had the final run, retaking the lead when Johns scored five straight points and the Rams (3-1) outscored the Panthers 15-7 over the final two minutes.

Blake Hinson led the Panthers (1-3) with 19 points, Jamarius Burton added 14, Nelly Cummings 11 and Jorge Diaz Graham 10.

The teams exchanged runs with Pitt outscoring VCU early in the second half to grab a six-point lead only to see the Rams use an 11-0 run to take back a five-point edge. But Cummings responded with seven straight points in a 9-0 spurt to put Pitt back out in front with nine minutes left.

After neither team shot over 33% in the first half when the Rams led 30-24, Pitt shot 52% to VCU's 48% in the final half. But VCU was 26 of 35 at the line, including 15 of 19 in the second half. Pitt made 14 of 21 free throws.

The teams were a combined 10 of 40 from the arc.

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