VCU defeats Davidson to advance to the A10 Championship game (3-6-21)
By: Darrell Owensi
Headline Photo Credit: Darrell Owens-LMS Network
Semifinals’ action in the Atlantic 10 Men’s Tournament saw #1 St. Bonaventure defeat #4 Saint Louis 71-53 to advance to the Final Next Sunday in Dayton. Who would they play? #2 VCU or #3 Davidson. These two teams meet on February 27 and Davidson came out on top 65-57. VCU was without star guard Bones Hyland that night and with Hyland play in the semifinal we would see how much of a difference that would make.
Photo Credit: Darrell Owens- LMS Network
In the first half, both teams struggled for the first 8 minutes. Davidson shot 1-for-10 (10%) from the floor. VCU shot 3-for-14 (21.4%) from the floor and the score was VCU 7-3. During that timeframe, Davidson went on a 5-minute scoring drought and VCU was on a 3:30 slump from the field. The shooting struggles would continue through the first half for both teams. Davidson shot 5-for 30 (16.7%) and went four-plus minutes with no field goal. VCU shot a smidge better 9-for-29 (31%) lead by Bones Hyland’s 8 points. Davidson had two players with 5 points at the half. VCU would lead at halftime 24-17.
In the second half, the pace picked up a little bit. VCU & Davidson started to shoot the ball better, and with a little over 5 minutes left both teams were shooting over 50% from the floor. VCU would pull away late & VCU bench depth would tire out the Wildcats in the end. VCU senior Corey Douglas came off the bench to go 5-for-5 with 10 points and had a stretch where he scored 6 points and took the momentum away from Davidson.VCU would go on to win 64-52. Bones Hyland leads the way for VCU with 12 points. Hyunjung Lee led Davidson with 13 points.
#2 VCU will play #1, St. Bonaventure, in Dayton next Sunday, March 14 for the Atlantic 10 championship and a chance to go to the NCAA tournament.
