Close calls were the order of the evening. Three of the games were decided by a single point. And in each of those games the issue was not resolved until the final possession. In three of the evening’s five games, the visitors emerged victorious. Visiting teams posted a number of wins this week but to date (per Kenpom.com) the hosts show a .700 winning percentage.
La Salle 78 UMass 77
Possessions: 68
Offensive efficiency: La Salle 115, UMass 113
Jhamir Brickus And Khalil Brantley, as they did in last Saturday’s win over Rhode Island, played key roles for the Explorers. Brickus scored a career high 25 points, 22 after intermission. Brantley (nine points, seven rebounds, six assists) blocked Noah Fernandes’ last second potential game winning shot. Fernandes led UMass with 15 points. La Salle overcame a 37-27 rebound deficit by shooting 53% from the floor.
Richmond 61 Davidson 57
Possessions: 64
Offensive efficiency: 95 69
Two free throws by Tyler Burton in the closing seconds sealed the verdict. It was Richmond’s first true road win since last February against George washington. Burton led all scorers with 17. Jason Nelson, a freshman guard, scored 16 points for the Spiders hitting four from downtown (all in the first half). Davidson, led by Desmond Watson with 13 points, trailed by 15 with just under ten minutes remaining. Wildcats got within two late before Burton closed the door on the comeback.
Rhode Island 68 St. Bonaventure 67
Possessions: 68
Offensive efficiency: URI 100, St. Bona 99
Bonnies went on a late game 11-0 run to take a one point lead with 33 seconds remaining. Rhode Island’s Ishmael Leggett, a game high 23 point scorer, canned two free throws with 17 seconds left. Bona had three shots in close on the final possession and came up empty. Kyrell Luc paced the Bonnies with 20 points, 9 assists and zero turnovers in 38 minutes. Leggett was also a game pacesetter with 14 boards. Bona forced 15 Ram turnovers but were beaten on the boards by a 44-36 count.
Saint Louis 63 George Mason 62
Possessions: 68
Offensive efficiency: Saint Louis 93, GMU 91
Host Billikens closed the contest on a 9-0 run in the final 2:05 to earn their second straight. This wild affair had seven ties and nine lead changes. There was also one ejection, Saint Louis coach Travis Ford was sent off with just over seven minutes remaining. Josh Oduro of George Mason posted a 26 point, 15 rebound double-double to lead all in those categories. Gibson Jimmerson led the Billikens with 16 points while Yuri Collins handed out 12 assists. Collins also canned the two game deciding free throws with 1.7 seconds left.
Duquesne 92 Saint Joseph’s 80
Possessions: 74
Offensive efficiency: Duquesne 124, Saint Joseph’s 108
Hawks dropped their fourth straight. Duquesne rang up 60 first half points. Their lead of 16 at intermission grew to 23 in the final stanza. Saint Josephs made a late run but could not get under a double figure deficit. Duquesne shot 14 of 25 (56%) from three. Rodney Gunn of Duquesne was a game high scorer with 26 points. Gunn, a 6’7” senior, was five of seven from beyond the arc. Saint Joseph’s Cameron Brown buried six treys en route to matching his career high of 25 points.
