The struggles for VCU (17-11; 7-8 A10) continue to mount as the Rams dropped their fifth-straight contest.
The loss at UMASS knocks VCU back to 9th place in the A10 standings.
The Rams took a 33-28 lead into the locker room, but were unable to connect from the floor as efficiently in the second half.
In the final 20 minutes of action, VCU shot 7-30 overall from the floor (23%), including an ice cold 1-9 (11%) from three-point range.
De’Riante Jenkins knocked down three triples—including the sole second half three-pointer—en route to his 13 points for the night.
Bones Hyland was the only other Ram to connect from long range as he finished 2-6 from deep and 3-7 overall. He finished with 9 points and three assists.
All eyes were on the paint tonight though as VCU’s Marcus Santos-Silva looked to matchup against Tre Mitchell for UMASS.
Santos-Silva earned his 10th double-double of the season as he put in a team-high 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Mitchell notched a double-double of his own with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
VCU played with a limited line-up tonight as Marcus Evans, Corey Douglas, and Vince Williams were all sidelined with injuries. Hyland was listed as questionable in tonights game with an aggravated hip flexor as well.
Despite taking a 20-13 rebounding advantage into the locker room, the Minutemen controlled the glass in the second half with a 24-15 margin.
VCU was only able to turn 13 UMASS turnovers into 8 points, while the Minutemen tallied 15 points off 10 Rams turnovers.
VCU has lost 5 straight contests for the first time since 1998.
The Rams will return to action Saturday, February 28th as they host the Colonials of George Washington. That game is set to tip at 4pm EST and will be broadcast on CBSSN.
