George Washington vs Massachusetts
In the first game to kick off the 2019 A-10 Championship Tournament, George Washington overcame a cold start, rallying back from a 25-11 deficit in the first half, thanks to the steady scoring of Maceo Jack (11 first half points) to keep the Colonials within one of UMass 30-29 at the half . While UMass shot lots out in the first half from deep (38% 3FG), GW overcame that and their own cold shooting by being aggressive and getting to the line, knocking down 8 out of 10 from the charity stripe.
Second half saw the Colonials go man to man to slow down UMass deep shooting. It proved to be effective as GW held the Minutemen to 23 percent shooting from deep AND 28 percent shooting from the field overall. That was the opening the Colonials needed, finishing the second half on a 11-6 run in the last 7:30 to force overtime.
In overtime, it was all George Washington. Led by sophomore guard Terry Nolan Jr, who scored six of his team high 20 points in the period, the Colonials went on to close out Massachusetts 68-64.
Jack (pictured below) joined Nolan Jr (pictured above) as the only Colonials in double figure scoring with 19 points, while fellow sophomore Justin Mazzulla added 7 points and 9 rebounds. Massachusetts guard Keon Clergeot posted a game high 25 points (5-10 3FG) while senior center Rashaan Holloway added 11 points and 12 rebounds.
GW will play crosstown foe George Mason Thursday at 2:30pm.
Fordham vs Richmond
It was a back an forth affair that has become the norm in college basketball at this time of the year. Although this time, it literally went down to the last second to. Fordham junior guard Antwon Portley hit a three to cut Richmond’s lead to two, 49-47 late in the game. On the very next possession, standout freshman guard Jalen Cobb forced a turnover from Spiders point guard Jacob Gilyard and was promptly fouled. Cobb made one, making it 49-48 Richmond. On the second free throw attempt, Cobb missed. Richmond center Grant Golden grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled. Golden stepped to the line, made his first making it 50-48 Richmond. Golden followed with a miss resulting in Fordham guard Antwon Portley being fouled securing the rebound.
With six seconds left in the game, Portley stepped to the line and hit both clutch free throws to tie the game at 50. Richmond inbounded the ball to Gilyard who rushed up court, splitting Fordham defenders which forced Rams bigs to step up. Gilyard instinctively found an open Nathan Cayo for the gane winning lay-up with 0.2 seconds left. Rams inbounds pass was knocked away, securing a first round win for Richmond.
Cayo led the Spiders with 15 points, Noah Yates added 10 and center Grant Golden nearly posted a triple double with 9 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assist. Portley led the Rams with 17 points and 7 rebounds, Honor posted 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and Jalen Cobb contributed 11 points respectively.
Richmond will take on St Louis Thursday at 8:30pm
