A busy weekend of conference action. Saint Louis and St, Bonaventure scored big wins in front of a national television audience. The Billikens have now won six straight. The Bonnies meanwhile, snapped VCU’s six game win streak. Fordham just keeps rolling along. And suddenly, Saint Joseph’s is gaining momentum.
Friday
Saint Louis 74 Davidson 70
Possessions: 65
Offensive efficiency: Saint Louis 114, Davidson 108
Saint Louis emerged victorious at Belk Arena for the first time in five tries. Davidson has now dropped five of their last six. Yuri Collins had a 12 point, 10 assists double-double for the Billikens. Collins also clinched it canning two free throws with six seconds remaining. Javon Pickett paced Saint Louis with 14 points while Sam Mennenga of Davidson led all scorers with 16. Wildcats had only four turnovers (6% TO rate) but struggled from the charity stripe hitting only 10 of 17 (59%).
Saturday:
Fordham 85 George Washington 70
Possessions:77
Offensive efficiency: Fordham 110, GW 91
For the second straight game Fordham broke the half century mark in the final twenty minutes. The Rams trailed by four at intermission then rang up 52 points in the final stanza to win the battle between two of the A10’s hottest and surprising teams. A 20-4 second half run did it for host Fordham. Khalid Moore scored a career-high and game-high 30 points. The Colonials, with five players in double figures, were led by Brendan Adams with 18.
St. Bonaventure 61 VCU 58
Possessions: 63
Offensive efficiency: St. Bona 97, VCU 92
The Bonnies snapped a two game slide, earning their first road win of the season, in a big way. Bonnies shot 25% the first half but responded with a 56% mark following the break. Moses Flowers scored all of his 15 points for Bona in the final twenty minutes. Moses, Bona’s Yann Fareell and VCU’s Adrian Baldwin shared game scoring honors with 15 points each. Bona committed just 10 turnovers (16% TO rate) against a VCU team forcing opponents into a 25% rate in A10 play. VCU saw a six game win streak ended.
Rhode Island 72 La Salle 70
Possessions: 70
Offensive efficiency: URI 103, La Salle 100
Rhode Island rallied from an eleven point halftime deficit to capture their second straight. The host Rams, in fact, trailed by 14 midway through the final half before going on a 26-10 run to close out the contest. Ishmael Leggett of URI led all scorers with 20 points. Josh Nickelberry paced the Explorers with 16. Both teams shot well and often from three. La Salle was 11 of 27 (41%) while the Rams checked in at 7 of 17 for 41% as well. La Salle has now dropped five straight.
UMass 87 Duquesne 79
Possessions: 82
Offensive efficiency: UMass 106, Duquesne 96
Visiting Duquesne has now lost three of their last four. UMass led by six at intermission and increased that lead to double digits the second half. Minutemen held a 47-36 edge in rebounding that included a 38-24% advantage in offensive rebounding percentage. RJ Luis of UMass led all scorers with a career-high 31 points. Dae Dae Grant was the Dukes’ scoring leader with 23 points while Jimmy Clark added 21. Grant also pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds white Dyondre Dominquez of UMass grabbed a game-high 11 boards. Duquesne had three players foul out.
Dayton 86 Richmond 60
Possessions: 60
Offensive efficiency: Dayton 132, Richmond 92
Dayton led by 20 at intermission thanks to some hot shooting. The Flyers hit their last eleven field goal attempts of the first half. They continued after the break connecting on their first four tries. Dayton actually started the game shooting 1 of 10 but visiting Richmond could not capitalize as Chris Mooney’s club suffered through a cold streak of their own. Dayton shot 52% from downtown (14 of 27) with Koby Brea hitting 6 of 7 en route to a team-high 18 points. Isaiah Bigelow of Richmond led all scorers with 19. Dayton snapped a two game slide while Richmond has now dropped three straight.
Sunday
Saint Joseph’s 79 George Mason 76
Possessions: 71
Offensive efficiency: Saint Joseph’s 111, GMU 107
Billy Lange’s Hawks made it four of their last five in the win column. Host George Mason has now dropped two straight and three of their last four. The game featured 10 ties and 19 lead changes. The host Patriots trailed by two and had the final possession. Their three point attempt with four seconds left missed and Lynn Greer III corralled the rebound and hit a free throw at the opposite end to seal the verdict. Erik Reynolds III of Saint Joseph’s led all scorers with 30 points. Josh Oduro led George Mason with a 17 point, 12 rebound, 7 assist outing. Hawks held a 36-26 advantage on points in the paint.
