Jamie Skeen had 19 points and Brandon Rozzell added 18 as Virginia Commonwealth held off Virginia Military Institute 86-80 on Wednesday night.
The Rams (6-2) led by as many as 13 in the second half, but the Keydets (6-4) pulled within a point on three occasions, the last time at 76-75 with 4:26 left.
Virginia Commonwealth then reeled off six straight points to end VMI's rally.
Skeen scored 10 points in the second half, hitting two free throws with 2:29 left, and Rozzell had 14 after the break.
The Keydets, who have lost three in a row, came in averaging 95.1 points per game.
Austin Kenon and Keith Gabriel led VMI with 17 points apiece, while Rodney Glasgow had 14 and D.J. Covington 12. Stan Okoye had his fifth double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Rams hit 9 of 17 3-pointers, including 6 of 9 in the first half, to lead 46-35 at halftime.
