The VCU Rams and Old Dominion Monarchs rivalry is like no other. There’s a strong hatred between the two schools and it makes for great basketball on the court. Saturday night was another instant classic between the Rams and Monarchs that came down to the final seconds at the Ted Center.

VCU, who came into the game losers of their last two, knew heading to Norfolk this was a must win.

“We had a way about us tonight. We knew we were going to dig it out somehow,” head coach Will Wade said.

The Rams trailed 55-44 with 7:37 remaining, but mounted a great comeback led by senior guard JeQuan Lewis. Lewis scored 12 points during a 16-1 VCU run that was highlighted by a Lewis 4-point play that tied the game at 55. The run by VCU lasted a little less than 3 minutes and once VCU was able to get a lead they weren’t going to let this game slip away.

“I just wanted to be more aggressive, just get the ball to the rim,” Lewis said.

Old Dominion aided the comeback as well, going 13 of 28 from the foul line and missing 9 of 14 in the final stretch of the game.

VCU went 6-of-8 from the free throw line down the stretch, but the Monarchs still had two final looks to either tie or take the lead, but VCU forced a shot-clock violation with 5.8 seconds left, and senior Mo Alie-Cox forced Ahmad Caver into a contested 3-point shot as time expired.

Along with Lewis, freshman De’Riante Jenkins had a breakout performance on the road. Jenkins provided 11 points and 6 rebounds for the Rams, while Alie-Cox handled his own in the paint scoring 8 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and collecting 4 block shots on the night.

B.J. Stith led the Monarchs with 17 points, while Caver added 16.

VCU will returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 17 when it hosts Middle Tennessee State at the E.J. Wade Arena at the Siegel Center at 7 p.m.