Atlantic 10 Quarterfinals Recap (March 9,2018)
By:Darrell Owens
Day 3 of the Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Tournament “The Quarterfinals” consisted of two types of games. Two of the games from Friday’s contest were “run away” games and first of those blow outs games put #4 seeded the St.Joseph’s Hawks against the #5 George Mason Patriots. This game was close at the Half with the Hawks holding on to a 1-point lead 26-25. The second half was all St. Joe’s as they would outscore the Patriots 42-24 to advance to the semi-finals. St.Joe’s Sophomore Nick Robinson lead all scorers 14 points and added 9 rebs.
In the second “run away” game #3 Davidson cruised to a coast to coast victory over #6 Saint Louis 78-60. Atlantic 10 Co-Player Of The Year, Peyton Aldridge drop 35 points 7 Rebounds and 5 assists, also going 6-6 from 3-point land. The Atlantic 10 Freshman Of The Year, Kellan Grady chipped in with 19 points on there way to the Semi’s.
The other two matchups from Friday’s quarterfinals, saw both Richmond, Va teams battle the top two seeds in the tournament. In the first of the those two battles #8 VCU took on #1 Rhode Island. This games was another close one at the Half. Everybody in the arena thought we would go into the half tied until Rhode Island Freshman Fatts Russell hits buzzer beater 3-pointer before the Half. The second half had 4 total lead changes but Rhode Island would hold off VCU 76-67. Rhode Island Jeff Dowtin lead Rhode Island with 18 points and 1st Team All-Conference player,!Jared Terrell had 16 points for the Rhody Rams. VCU’s Justin Tillman lead all scorers with 23 points and 15 rebounds in possibly his last game with VCU.
In the other battle, #2 St.Bonaventure took on #7 Richmond. The Spiders jumped out to an early lead but the Bonnies would not back down as they would tie the game at the Half at 32. A barrage of Matt Mobley 3-Pointers would propel the Bonnies to a 17-point lead 74-57. The Spiders would not quit, lead by Khwan Fore’s 25 points, the Spiders deceased the lead down to two points 79-77 with 28 seconds left in the game, but the Bonnies toughness would outlast the Spiders 83-77 in an extremely entertaining game. Matt Mobley lead the Bonnies with 29 points with nine 3-points in the game.
With those results, we are set up with a great semifinal round. #1 Rhode Island takes on #4 St. Joseph’s who dominated the Rams in there only match of the season 78-48. In the game, the Rams shut under 30% from the field. While the Hawks shot over 50% in the game. This game begins at 1pm. In the second match up, #2 St. Bonaventure takes on #2 Davidson, what is sure to be the game of the day. Call players of the year Peyton Aldridge and Jaylen Adams will battle it out for a spot in the championship game! Will catch you tomorrow with a recap of today’s games.
