Box Score Atlantic 10 Tournament Quarterfinals
Score: #2 VCU 85, #10 UMass 70
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y. (Barclays Center)
Records: VCU 23-9, UMass 14-18
The short story: Melvin Johnson scored a team-high 19 points and VCU imposed its will with 20 offensive rebounds to cruise past UMass in the Atlantic 10 Quarterfinals Friday at Barclays Center. The Rams advance to play the winner of St. Bonaventure and Davidson in Saturday's semifinals.
THE DIFFERENCE
- VCU outrebounded UMass 49-31, including 20-4 on the offensive glass. The Rams used all those extra opportunities to build a 16-4 advantage in second-chance points. The Rams also turned 12 UMass turnovers into 20 points.
- The Rams returned from the halftime break and promptly put together a 23-6 run - sparked by back-to-back Johnny Williams layups - over the first 7:43 of the second half to grab a commanding 62-36 lead. UMass never got closer than 15 the rest of the way.
- UMass took its last lead of the game at 6-5 on a pair of Donte Clark free throws at the 14:53 mark of the first half. VCU responded with a 12-0 burst that included a pair of buckets each from Justin Tillman and Johnson. VCU would take a 39-30 lead into the lockerroom.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- As the game wore on, VCU repeatedly hurt UMass down low. Although the Rams were just 1-of-16 from 3-point range, VCU scored 50 points in the paint and shot 50 percent (28-of-56) from 2-point range.
- Four Rams scored in double figures. Junior JeQuan Lewis added 16 points for the Rams, while senior Korey Billbury and sophomore Justin Tillman provided 12 and 10, respectively. Tillman also grabbed nine rebounds.
- Mo Alie-Cox was responsible for a couple of eye-popping defensive plays. The redshirt junior forward finished with eight points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots.
- Trey Davis led UMass with 20 points.
NOTABLE
- VCU, the defending tournament champions, has advanced to the semifinals in each of its four seasons as an A-10 member.
- The Rams are now 9-2 all-time in A-10 Tournament games.
- With Saturday's win, the Rams avenge a 69-63 loss at UMass on Feb. 11 in Amherst.
- With 19 points Friday, Johnson moved into seventh place on VCU's single-season scoring list with 577.
UP NEXT
- The Rams advance to play either Davidson or St. Bonaventure Saturday at 4 p.m. at Barclays Center. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
