There were three games in conference play last night. Dayton got back in the win column. VCU and Richmnd both posted wins, gaining momentum for their Friday night Capital Cities Classic showdown, televised nationally on ESPN2.
VCU 83 UMass 55
Possessions: 71
Offensive efficiency: VCU 117, UMass 77
First half actually saw eight ties and five lead changes. VCU led by seven at the half before pulling away the final twenty minutes for their fourth straight victory. Mike Rhoades’ group showed excellent balance with five players in double figures. Jalen Deloach scored a game and career-high 19 points while pulling down 12 boards to pace the Rams. VCU forced UMass into a 23% turnover rate and dominated inside with a 46-28 advantage on points in the paint. Matt Cross led UMass with 15 points, 10 rebounds.
Richmond 64 Rhode Island 57
Possessions: 66
Offensive efficiency: Richmond 97, URI 86
Tyler Burton scored the game’s first seven points, giving Richmond a lead they never surrendered. Burton had a game high 23 points on the night. Richmond held an opponent under 60 points for the ninth time this season. The two prior campaigns combined saw Chris Mooney’s Spiders hold the opposition to that number ten times. Richmond is showing a 98 defensive efficiency in conference play. That number is good for third in the A10 behind Dayton (90) and VCU (95). Brayon Freeman led Rhode Island with 18 points. Visiting Rams were forced into a 21% turnover rate and shot an eFG percentage of 46%.
Dayton 68 Davidson 61
Possessions: 64
Offensive efficiency: Dayton 106, Davidson 95
Host Dayton trailed by three at intermission. Following the break, the Flyers went on a 15-2 run to regain the lead to open the contest up. Dayton shot 64% from the field those last twenty minutes. Beaten on the glass in their first meeting, the Wildcats held a 39-21% advantage in OREB percentage. Davidson had a 34-29 overall edge off the boards. Mustapha Amzil led Dayton with 19 points. Davidson, which dropped their fourth straight, was led by Desmond Watson, also with 19. Sam Mennenga posted a 15 point, 13 rebound double-double for Davidson.
