VCU wins free throw battle down the stretch to hold off Wichita State

Updated: February 19, 2011

WICHITA, Kan. -- Joey Rodriguez made two free throws with 0.8 seconds remaining to send Virginia Commonwealth over Wichita State 68-67 in a BracketBusters game Friday night.

The Shockers' David Kyles got off a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it rattled in and out.

Bradford Burgess scored 17 and Rodriguez added 15 for the Rams (21-8), who earned a victory to help their NCAA tournament at-large chances.

Joe Ragland's 15 points could not keep Wichita State (22-6) from its fourth home loss.

Wichita State went on a methodical 8-0 run over a six-minute span, taking a 61-59 lead with 4:27 remaining and setting up the late drama. The teams traded lead-changing baskets before Brandon Rozzell's 3-pointer with 1:22 left gave the Rams a 65-63 advantage. They led until Ragland made two free throws with 4.9 seconds to play for a 67-66 Shockers lead.

Virginia Commonwealth was 9 of 21 from 3-point range.