VCU clinched the regular season title. George Washington and George Mason continued their winning ways. Duquesne, picked for last in the pre-season poll, still has a shot at a double bye in Brooklyn. The regular season finish line is in sight.
VCU 79 Saint Louis 67
Possessions: 78
Offensive efficiency: VCU 101, Saint Louis 86
A strong second half allowed host VCU to clinch the A10 regular season title. The Rams trailed by four at the break before shooting 62% from the field over the final 20 minutes. Six VCU players scored in double figures with Jalen DeLoach leading the way with 14 points. VCU also scored a season-high 52 points in the paint. Saint Louis, forced into a 25% turnover rate, was led by Terrence Hargrove with a game-high 15 points.
Dayton 77 La Salle 53
Possessions: 58
Offensive efficiency: Dayton 133, La Salle 91
Senior Night at UD Arena saw the Flyers send La Salle to its fourth straight defeat. Dayton held a two possession lead with just over 12 minutes to play before embarking on a game deciding 23-7 run. The Flyers shot 52% (12-23) from beyond the arc while the Explorers were limited to 29% (7-24). DaRon Holmes led the way with his 20th double-double of the campaign. The Dayton standout scored 16 points while grabbing 10 boards. La Salle was paced by Khalil Brantley’s game-high 19 points.
Wednesday:
George Washington 75 Davidson 70
Possessions: 65
Offensive efficiency: GW 115, Davidson 108
The Colonials took to the road to capture their fourth straight. James Bishop IV came up big for Chris Caputo’s group. Tied with under four minutes to play, Bishop IV scored 11 of his game-high 26 points. George Washington had trailed by nine earlier in the final stanza. Both teams were proficient from the line as GW shot 89% (16-18) while Davidson was a perfect 100% (10-10). Davidson, paced by Sam Mennenga’s 23 points, saw their three game win streak come to an end.
George Mason 64 Fordham 58 (OT)
Possessions: 80
Offensive efficiency: GMU 80, Fordham 72
Fordham battled back from an eight point deficit with just over four minutes left to force overtime. In the extra session Ronald Polite III scored eight of his 12 points to send the Patriots to their fifth straight win. Defense was the key for George Mason on Senior Night. Fordham shot 10% (no misprint) the first half and 24% for the contest. George Mason shot 35% and was forced into a 23% turnover rate. Josh Oduro led the Patriots with 17 points before fouling out. Fordham’s Khalid Moore had a game-high 21 points.
Saint Joseph’s 83 Richmond 67
Possessions: 69
Offensive efficiency: Saint Joseph’s 120, Richmond 97
An 18-3 second half outburst by the host Hawks broke open a close game. Saint Joseph’s, celebrating Senior Night, went on to snap a four game slide while Richmond dropped their second straight. Both teams cared for the ball in excellent fashion as the Hawks had a 10% TO rate while Richmond checked in at 15%. Erik Reynolds II, who scored a career high Sunday at St. Bonaventure, matched it with a game-high 33 points. Lynn Greer III added 20 for the Hawks. Richmond was led by Neal Quinn and Marcus Randolph with 15 points each.
Duquesne 88 UMass 79
Possessions: 75
Offensive efficiency: Duquesne 117, UMass 105
Duquesne hit the 20-win total for just the third time in 42 years. The Dukes also earned double digit A10 victories for the 6th time. Trailing by 16 at intermission, UMass cut the deficit to two in the final stanza. The Minutemen could get no closer as Duquesne regrouped and never lost the lead. UMass enjoyed a 40-28 advantage in points in the ;paint but were forced into a 28% TO rate. RJ Luis of UMass led all scorers with 23 points while Jimmy Clark was Duquesne’s leader with 18.
Rhode Island 79 Loyola 77
Possessions: 66
Offensive efficiency: URI 120, Loyola 117
Senior Night at Gentile Arena saw the Ramblers drop their fourth straight. Ishmael Leggett canned two free throws with two seconds remaining to give Rhode Island the win, snapping a seven game losing streak. Loyola trailed by seven at the break, battling back to tie it on a Sheldon Edwards three pointer with ten seconds left, prior to Leggett’s free throws. Loyola held a 43-16 edge in bench points. Edwards paced Loyola with 16 points while Leggett led all scorers with 20.
