CHARLESTON, S.C. (January 15, 2022) – The Citadel posed many second-half threats, but were unable to disarm VMI down the stretch as the Keydets held on for a 90-85 SoCon win Saturday.
Game Information
Score: VMI 90, The Citadel 85
Records: VMI (10-8, 3-3), The Citadel (7-8, 1-3)
Location: McAlister Field House (Charleston, S.C.)
Series: The Citadel leads 59-58
How it Happened
- VMI got the early jump on the game, stretching its lead to as much as 13 in the opening half.
- The Citadel's reserves played a part in cutting the Keydets' lead to five at the half at 46-41. Rudy Fitzgibbons III came off the bench to make three of the Bulldogs' seven 3-pointers for ten first-half points.
- The Bulldogs maintained heavy pressure on VMI, tying the game twice before taking a brief lead at 5:40 following Jerry Higgins III's free throw to go up 73-72.
- The Keydets responded with an and-one layup from Honor Huff, then with the game tied again at 75-75, VMI used an 8-2 run to pull ahead for good.
Inside the Box Score
- Both sides produced four scorers in double figures. The Citadel had two 20-point scorers to VMI's one, with Jason Roche delivering a game-best 22 points for his fourth 20-point game of the season and Rudy Fitzgibbons III posting 21 points.
- The Bulldogs made 13-of-40 threes on the day to VMI's 9-of-26. Roche made 5-of-13 triples and Fitzgibbons drew on 4-of-9.
- VMI's Jake Stephens stole the show with a 20-20 performance, posting 20 points and 21 rebounds along with four blocks. The 6'11" center accounted for half of the Keydets' boards on a day where they led, 42-35 on the glass.
- Stephen Clark nearly had a double-double on 12 points and eight assists, while Tyler Moffe earned 11 points.
Roche from Long Range
- Jason Roche earned his fifth game making at least five 3-pointers, putting him seventh all-time on The Citadel's freshman scoring list with 60 threes this season.
Rivalry Notes
- Saturday's final score ended a two-season run in which VMI and The Citadel exchanged home wins in their SoCon regular season matchups.
Up Next
The Bulldogs wrap up their home stand with a SoCon meeting with Mercer Monday at 7 p.m. The Citadel ships out with two conference road games at Wofford Wednesday and ETSU Saturday.