In the Atlantic Ten quarterfinals, St. Bonaventure and VCU both built big leads, faced an opposition run then regrouped to get to the conference ‘final four’. Saint Louis and Davidson advanced on their strengths. For Saint Louis it was a case of owning the boards while Davidson shot lights out from deep. The summary:
St, Bonaventure 75 Duquesne 59
Possessions: 67
Offensive efficiency: St. Bona 112, Duquesne 88
Kenmpon MVP: Osun Osunniyi, St. Bona- 18 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists
Key stat: Bonnies forced Duquesne into 16 turnovers (24%) TO rate. Bona also shot a torrid 26 of 42 (62%) from two point range.
Saint Louis 86 UMass 72
Possessions: 71
Offensive efficiency: Saint Louis 121, UMass 101
Kenpom MVP: Tre Mitchell, UMass- 30 points, 6 rebounds
Key stat: Billikens were dominant in the rebounding battle 45-22, limiting UMass to 3 offensive rebounds.
VCU 73 Dayton 68
Possessions: 73
Offensive efficiency: VCU 100, Dayton 93
Kenpom MVP: Nah’Shon (Bones) Hyland- 30 points, 10 rebounds.
Key stat: Dayton won the battle of the boards 36-26. That battle was negated by being forced into 21 turnovers, a 29% TO rate.
Davidson 99 George Mason 67
Possessions: 69
Offensive efficiency: Davidson 143, George Mason 97
Kenpom MVP: Kellen Grady, Davidson- 32 points, 6 rebounds, both game-highs.
Key Stat: Davidson had the touch shooting 17 of 31 (55%) from beyond the arc.
The semifinals:
Siegel Center
St. Bonaventure-Saint Louis
A month ago the Billikens handed the Bonnies their worst A10 defeat 70-59 at the Chaifetz Arena. Bona defense is on another level as of late. Expect this one to be decided by the battle of the boards.
Davidson-VCU
Last week the Rams lost at Davidson. VCU was without Bones Hyland, out with an injury. Hyland is back and looked good against Dayton. The Wildcats will pose a serious threat, especially if they shoot from long range as they did against George Mason.
