Game of the Night
VCU Rams 69 George Washington Colonials 65
In the first meeting this season, Patricio Garino put GW on his back, and lead them to a road victory. Today, Jonathan Williams took on the same role, but this time for VCU. Williams had a team-high 17 points, along with five assists and two rebounds.
VCU jumped to an early 12-4 lead in the first half before George Washington was able to make a run late in the first half, highlighted by a Kevin Larsen three just before halftime to pull the Colonials to within one. The second half started much like the first with a big VCU run, with an 8-0 Rams run to lead 36-27. But the Colonials came right back again, and pulled within three before the under-16 media timeout.
From there, the teams went back and forth, trading baskets, neither side ever building that big of a lead. Tyler Cavanaugh picked up his fourth foul with 6:49 left with GW down four, and it looked like GW was in trouble. GW rallied back, and had several chances down the stretch. Larsen sank two free throws with 1:30 left to give GW their first lead of the second half, 63-62. But Jordan Burgess came right back and hit a three for the Rams to give them the lead again.
Patricio Garino had two perfect looks at the basket in the final 10 seconds, the first was a three that would have put the Colonials up one, and the second was on a drive to the basket that would have tied the game, and might have send it to overtime. Neither were able to fall for GW.
The win for VCU is a big boost to their tournament résumé, while the loss for GW just about pops their tournament bubble. Both teams have two games left, VCU faces Davidson on March 2nd before going on the road to Dayton in their regular season finale on March 5h. GW concludes their season on March 1st and 5th with games against George Mason at at Davidson.
Elsewhere in A10 Play
Rhode Island Rams 75 Dayton Flyers 66
The Rams controlled this one from the start, jumping to a 13-2 lead, and never looked back. While Dayton was able to rally late, they were never able to take the lead or get within six. Jared Terrell lead URI with 18 points, while Four McGlynn added 16, and Jarvis Garrett and Kuran Iverson had 11 each. Dyshawn Peirre lead the Flyers with 17 points.
Rhode Island next plays March 3rd against UMass at 7PM, while Dayton next plays March 1st against Richmond at 7:30PM.
Fordham Rams 91 Davidson Wildcats 82
Joseph Cartouny had a career-high 24 points as Fordham took down Davidson at home. The Rams lead through the majority of the game, and held Jack Gibbs to just 21 points. Ryan Rhoomes added 18 points for Fordham, while Christian Sengfelder added 17. In addition to Gibbs’ 21 points, Brian Sullivan had 20 points for the Wildcats. The road from here for Davidson doesn’t get any easier: their final two opponents are VCU and George Washington.
Fordham next plays March 2nd at Duquesne at 7PM, while Davidson next plays March 2nd at VCU at 7PM.
La Salle Explorers 76 George Mason Patriots 68
Jordan Price lead the way with 24 points for the Explorers, in the battle of the two teams at the bottom of the Atlantic 10 standings. Cleon Roberts added 15 points for La Salle, while Amar Stukes had 12. Otis Livingston lead the Patriots with 18 points, who are in danger of falling into 14th place in the A10. Mason still has a one game lead over La Salle, but with two games left, nothing is guaranteed.
La Salle next plays March 2nd against Saint Louis, while George Mason next plays March 1st at George Washington.
Saint Bonaventure Bonnies 85 Massachusetts Minutemen 83
Donte Clark’s would-be game winning three came just after the buzzer, as the Bonnies narrowly escaped with the victory. The shot came after Dion Wright sank two free throws for Saint Bonaventure with four seconds left, to give them a two point lead. Marcus Posley lead the Bonnies with 22 points, Dion Wright had 21, Idris Taqqee had 19 and Jaylen Adams had 14. Trey Davis was the lone Minuteman in double-figures with 24 points.
Saint Bonaventure next plays March 2nd against Saint Joseph’s, while UMass next plays March 3rd at URI.
Richmond Spiders 83 Duquesne Dukes 67
Terry Allen had 25 points to lead the Spiders past the Dukes. The game remained close for most of the first half, and Duquesne came as close as five in the second half, before Richmond pulled away. T.J. Cline added 23 points for the Spiders, while ShawnDre’ Jones had 13. Derrick Colter lead Duquesne with 20 points, while Eric James added 16 points and Micah Mason had 15.
Richmond next plays March 1st against Dayton at 7:30PM, while Duquesne next plays March 2nd against Fordham at 7PM.