A busy weekend in the A10 started with a nationally televised meeting at UD Arena. That one went to the wire. Saturday saw two other contests come down to the final possession. Expect this to be the norm as the conference race progresses. To date, per Kenpom.com, 24% of A10 games are close games, decided by less than four points or overtime.
Friday
VCU 63 Dayton 62
Possessions: 66
Offensive efficiency: VCU 95, Dayton 94
Dayton held the Rams scoreless for a five and a half minute stretch en route to a 33-19 halftime lead. VCU came out strong in the second half cutting the deficit to seven by the first media time out. Nick Kerns layup off a steal capped a furious rally for Mike Rhoades’ Rams. David Shriver keyed that run scoring 18 points, all the final 20 minutes, on 6 of 8 from deep. Dayton was forced into a 27% TO rate and surrendered 18 points off turnovers. Toumani Camara led all scorers with a career high 27 points. The Dayton junior forward also grabbed 11 rebounds.
Saturday
Saint Joseph’s 86 Loyola 55
Possessions: 73
Offensive efficiency: Saint Joseph’s 118, Loyola 75
Billy Lange’s Hawks broke into the conference win column in a big way. Loyola, still in search of their first A10 victory, dropped their six straight. Saint Joseph’s faced out to a 16-2 lead over the first five minutes and forced the visiting Ramblers to play catch up all afternoon. Hawks had four players in double figures with Kacper Klaczek and Lynn Greer III (five three pointers) leading the way with 17 points apiece. Loyola was led by Philip Alston, their lone double figure scorer, with 16.
George Mason 67 Davidson 65
Possessions: 65
Offensive efficiency:GMU 103, Davidson 100
Visiting Wildcats dropped their third straight to fall to 2-4 in conference. Foster Loyer had a chance to win it but his top of the key jumper rimmed with a second left. Loyer scored 16 points, sharing team scoring honors with Grant Huffman. Josh Oduro of George Mason led all with 22 points while adding nine rebounds, also a game high. Mason was tough on the boards enjoying a 28-16% edge in offensive rebounding percentage.
Fordham 66 La Salle 64
Possessions: 66
Offensive efficiency: Fordham 100, La Salle 97
In a game with three ties and nine lead changes it came down to the final possession. Antrell Charlton of Fordham canned a jumper at the buzzer to win it for the Rams. Will Richardson of Fordham tied La Salle’s Khalil Brantley of La Salle with game scoring honors, hitting 19. The Explorers’ Jhamir Brickus scored 12, the fifth straight time the junior guard hit for double digits. Rams forced La Salle into a 26% turnover rate.
St. Bonaventure 71 Richmond 63
Possessions: 69
Offensive efficiency: St. Bona 103, Richmond 91
Bonnies snapped a two game slide and took their eighth game in nine tries at Reilly Center. Bonnies trailed by six at the break before going on a game changing 25-6 run during a ten minute stretch in the final stanza. Daryl Banks III and Moses Flowers shared game scoring honors with 20 points apiece. Matt Grace paced the Spiders with 15. Bonnies had another strong showing in the turnover department with a 12% TO rate while forcing Richmond into a 22% showing.
Saint Louis 81 George Washington 74
Possessions: 72
Offensive efficiency: Saint Louis 112, GW 103
Billikens visited DC and came away with their third straight victory. Saint Louis held off a Colonial rally that saw a 17 point lead trimmed to just two in the stretch. Travis Ford and co. were without the services of stellar lead guard Yuri Collins. In his absence, Javonte Perkins led the way with a game high 27 points. James Bishop of GW shot 5 of 23 (3 for 15 from three) and was limited to 14 points. Maximus Edwards picked up the slack pacing the Colonials with 24 points.
UMass 75 Rhode Island 65
Possessions: 76
Offensive efficiency: UMass 99, Rhode Island 86
Minutemen used a 12-0 second half run to gain separation and defeat Rhode Island at the Mullins Center. Matt Cross led the way for UMass with a career high 22 points. The game saw nine lead changes, all in the first 20 minutes. Ishmael Leggett paced the Rams with 19 points. UMass held a 37-22% advantage in offensive rebounding percentage. Cross, beside his scoring, pulled down a game high four offensive boards.
