Joey Rodriguez made a 3-pointer and four free throws in the final minute as Virginia Commonwealth defeated Drexel 52-48 on Wednesday night.
The Rams (10-5, 2-1 Colonial Athletic Association) won their 18th straight home game, aided by Drexel coach Bruiser Flint. The coach picked up two technical fouls in the final minute when he argued that Chris Fouch had been fouled on an errant 3-point try. Rodriguez, who had just given the Rams a 47-46 lead with the 3, made all four free throws and the Dragons (9-4, 1-2) didn't recover.
Bradford Burgess and Brandon Rozzell each had 11 to lead VCU.
Dartaye Ruffin had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Drexel. Fouch scored 14, but made only 5 of 19 shots.
The Rams shot only 29.5 percent from the field (18 of 61) and were outrebounded 46-29. But they forced 23 Drexel turnovers and tied a season-high with 14 steals.
