VCU dropped their third game in four contests, this time falling at UMass, 80-75.
The Rams led at the half by five in front of a sellout crowd of 9,493, but despite battling back and forth to finish the game, came up just short as UMass used a 16-8 finish over the final six minutes to eek out the win.
As well as UMass played, the black and gold did a large amount of damage to their own chances by once again struggling to hit shots all over the floor, including a 10-22 performance (45.5%) from the free throw stripe where they were outscored by 10.
The Rams hit just 39.2% of their shots on the night despite floating around 50% early. VCU hit seven threes to UMass' zero but shot just 28% from deep on the game.
The black and gold had a rare negative turnover margin night, forcing just 14 UMass turnovers while turning it over 17 times themselves.
Treveon Graham led the Rams with 19 points but was just 8-of-19 from the field in the loss as well as 1-4 from the free throw line. He added eight rebounds for the black and gold.
Like Graham, senior Juvonte Reddic struggled from the line as well, connecting on a Shaq-like 3-8 from the stripe and was held to 31% shooting from the field, hitting five of his 16 attempts. Reddic had a team-high nine rebounds.
Fellow senior, Rob Brandenberg, struggled to shoot as well, connecting on just four of his 12 attempts to finish with 10 points in the loss.
The loss moves VCU to 20-7 on the season and 8-4 in A-1o play, currently putting them in a tie for forth place with George Washington (20-6, 8-4) due to UMass' now head-to-head tie-breaker over both teams. The Rams can move into sole possession of fourth wins losses by GW (at SLU) and Richmond (v La Salle) tomorrow.
The black and gold are back in action Thursday as they head to the Bronx to take on Fordham at 7PM.
The Rams return to the Siegel Center March 1 for a home rematch against Saint Louis (24-2, 11-0)
The Rams led at the half by five in front of a sellout crowd of 9,493, but despite battling back and forth to finish the game, came up just short as UMass used a 16-8 finish over the final six minutes to eek out the win.
As well as UMass played, the black and gold did a large amount of damage to their own chances by once again struggling to hit shots all over the floor, including a 10-22 performance (45.5%) from the free throw stripe where they were outscored by 10.
The Rams hit just 39.2% of their shots on the night despite floating around 50% early. VCU hit seven threes to UMass' zero but shot just 28% from deep on the game.
The black and gold had a rare negative turnover margin night, forcing just 14 UMass turnovers while turning it over 17 times themselves.
Treveon Graham led the Rams with 19 points but was just 8-of-19 from the field in the loss as well as 1-4 from the free throw line. He added eight rebounds for the black and gold.
Like Graham, senior Juvonte Reddic struggled from the line as well, connecting on a Shaq-like 3-8 from the stripe and was held to 31% shooting from the field, hitting five of his 16 attempts. Reddic had a team-high nine rebounds.
Fellow senior, Rob Brandenberg, struggled to shoot as well, connecting on just four of his 12 attempts to finish with 10 points in the loss.
The loss moves VCU to 20-7 on the season and 8-4 in A-1o play, currently putting them in a tie for forth place with George Washington (20-6, 8-4) due to UMass' now head-to-head tie-breaker over both teams. The Rams can move into sole possession of fourth wins losses by GW (at SLU) and Richmond (v La Salle) tomorrow.
The black and gold are back in action Thursday as they head to the Bronx to take on Fordham at 7PM.
The Rams return to the Siegel Center March 1 for a home rematch against Saint Louis (24-2, 11-0)
