The weekend started with VCU and Saint Louis battling for the top spot in conference play. Bonnies continued their win streak while George Washington is struggling of late. Fordham saw a win streak end at the hands of Richmond who ended their losing streak in the process.
Friday:
VCU 73 Saint Louis 65
Possessions: 68
Offensive efficiency: VCU 107, Saint Louis 96
In the battle for the A10’s top spot, VCU captured their fifth straight road win. Saint Louis dropped their second straight as the Rams’ Adrian Baldwin posted a career-high 37 points. In a game with 11 ties and 16 lead changes, VCU gained separation in the final five minutes. Saint Louis shot 55% the first half but was limited to 44% from the field the final; twenty minutes. Billikens were also forced into a 21% TO rate as the Rams enjoyed a 17-11 advantage in points off turnovers. Gibson Jimerson led Saint Louis with 24 points.
Saturday:
Davidson 93 UMass 78
Possessions: 69
Offensive efficiency: Davidson 135, Umass 113
Wildcats burned the Mullins Center nets to the tune of a 54% (14 of 26) mark from beyond the arc. Davidson also held a 31-23 edge over the Minutemen in rebounds. Conner Kochera of Davidson led all scorers with 29. Matt Cross had 28 for UMass. Host Minutemen held a 52-34 advantage in points in the paint yet struggled from long range hitting 4 of 11 (36%) from three. Davidson snapped a two game losing streak while UMass is currently in a two game slide.
Duquesne 93 George Washington 67
Possessions: 72
Offensive efficiency: Duquesne 129. GW 93
Duquesne enjoyed a 19-5 edge in points off turnovers as they sprinted out to a 50-20 halftime lead. The Dukes, held the host Colonials scoreless for ten minutes, en route to a mammoth 28-0 first half run, that essentially broke the game open. Duquesne shot better from three (17 of 32 for 53%) than inside the arc (17 of 33 for 51%). George Washington’s offensive woes were highlighted by an excessive 25% turnover rate. For the game, Duquesne enjoyed a 26-16 advantage in points off turnovers. Duquesne’s Dae Dae Grant scored a game-high 18 points. Mazimus Edwards led the Colonials, who dropped their third straight, with 15.
Loyola 69 George Mason 61
Possessions: 65
Offensive efficiency: Loyola 106, GMU 94
Patriots have now dropped three of their last four as Loyola earned their second A10 win. Ramblers held George Mason to a season low 32% shooting from the floor. The score was tied in the second half before host Loyola went on a 7-2 run to take a five point lead with just over seven minutes remaining. Loyola never looked back, clinching the contest from the charity stripe in the final minutes. Loyola committed just 6 turnovers for an outstanding 9% TO rate. George Mason’s DeVon Cooper, Ronald Polite and Malik Henry shared game scoring honors with 14 points each. Loyola was led by Braden Norris, Philip Alston and Bryce Golden with 13.
St. Bonaventure 68 Dayton 59
Possessions: 61
Offensive efficiency: St. Bona 111, Dayton 97
Bonnies earned their third straight in the win column in front of a sold out crowd at the Reilly Center. Dayton saw a two game winning streak come to an end as Bona placed five players in double figures. Leading the way for the Bonnies was Chad Venning with 17 points. Venning also grabbed a team high 8 rebounds. DaRon Holmes of Dayton led all scorers with 21 points. Toumani Camara pulled down a game high 17 boards (7 offensive) for the Flyers. Bona committed only 8 turnovers (13% TO rate) and limited Dayton to four points off turnovers.
Sunday:
La Salle 73 Saint Joseph’s 65
Possessions: 66
Offensive efficiency: La Salle 111, Saint Joseph’s 98
The trip was only a few miles. Regardless, La Salle scored a road win in a Big Five rivalry game. Explorers have now captured two straight. La Salle built an 11-point first half lead before the Hawks rallied to force a second half tie. At that point, with just over 11 minutes to play, Josh Nickelberry canned a three pointer to put La Salle back in the lead. Nickelberry, who came off the bench. Scored a game-high 16 points. The Hawks were led by Erik Reynolds II with 15. La Salle shot 10 of 23 (44%) from beyond the arc while Saint Joseph’s checked in at 6 of 25 (24%).
Richmond 68 Fordham 58
Possessions: 65
Offensive efficiency: Richmond 105, Fordham 89
The Rams led by six at intermission and increased it to 11 with just over 12 minutes remaining. Richmond responded with a 13-2 run to force a tie with just over six and a half minutes to play. In the stretch the Spiders made all 12 of their three throw attempts. The sold out Robins Center rocked as Richmond ended a four game slide and closed out their first win since January 17. Fordham saw their five game win streak end. Rams held a 20-12 advantage in points off turnovers. Richmond was led by Matt Grace who celebrated his birthday with a game-high 21 points. It was Grace’s second 20-point effort in his career. Khalid Moore paced the Rams with 12.
