VCU entered the A10 Tournament Quarter Finals riding a 12 game win streak—which earned them a top seed—and were the expected favorite to win the whole thing come Sunday afternoon.
But, then Marcus Evans went down, and everything changed.
At the 6:42 mark in the first half, and with a 26-18 VCU lead, Evans took contact on a fast break layup attempt and landed awkwardly on he left leg. The star point guard immediately clutched his knee and VCU fans went silent.
Evans returned to the VCU bench in the second half on crutches.
His knee was listed as having a deep bone bruise and his return ruled out for the day.
Rhode Island ended the half on a 18-11 run that pulled them within three points of VCU, 37-34.
De’Riante Jenkins hit all three of his triples in the opening 20 minutes. He finished the night with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block.
Perhaps the lone bright spot in the VCU afternoon was the exceptional play by big man, Marcus Santos-Silva. He secured his 6th double-double of the season en route to a 26 point, 22 rebound performance.
The loss today makes the third straight A10 tournament that VCU has been knocked out by URI.
For now, VCU awaits the Selection Sunday show on Sunday, March 17th to see if the NCAA Tournament lies in their future plans.
