Joe Dukes scored 17 points to lead GSU (9-14, 3-8 CAA), but the Panthers dropped their third straight.

Joey Rodriguez led VCU (15-5, 7-4) with 22 points and nine assists.

After trailing by as many as 13, Georgia State fought back in the second half  and pulled within 54-51 on a three-pointer by James Fields with 6:27 to play. VCU quickly answered on a bucket by 6-11 center Larry Sanders to begin a 7-0 scoring run that pushed its advantage to 61-51 with four minutes to go.

"Our kids fought hard and we got some tough breaks, but we gave ourselves a chance down the stretch," said GSU head coach Rod Barnes, whose squad was whistled for 18 fouls in the first half and 31 for the game.

"We cut it four and we had chances to score to put more pressure but we couldn't convert. But the effort was there. This has been a tough stretch but our kids are still fighting."

VCU went 30-of-35 from the free throw line, including 12-for-13 by Rodriguez. Sanders added 13 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks for the Rams.

The Panthers fueled their second half comeback by forcing 15 turnovers in the half. Marques Johnson grabbed six of GSU's 16 steals in the game. James Fields and Xavier Hansbro scored 10 points each for the Panthers.

Georgia State led early, holding an 18-14 advantage with nine minutes to go in the first half before VCU scored seven straight to take a 21-18 lead en route to a 45-32 halftime lead.

The Rams extended their lead to 47-34 early in the second half before GSU began to chip away.  

After playing three straight road games, the Panthers return home for two games next week, beginning Wednesday versus George Mason. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. at the GSU Sports Arena for the "Panther Blizzard" white-out, with free white t-shirts for GSU students.

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