BROOKLYN, N. Y. – Saint Joseph's run at the 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship came to an end on Saturday as the ninth seeded Hawks battled to the final whistle, but were held off by fifth seed VCU, 66-60, on Saturday afternoon at Barclays Center.
How It Happened
• The opening seven minutes foreshadowed the back-and-forth contest Saturday afternoon would be as it featured four ties and three lead changes over the opening seven minutes.
• A basket by
Christ Essandoko gave the Hawks a 9-7 advantage.
• Sean Bairstow capped a 6-0 run for the Rams as they opened a 13-9 edge.
• Ahead 13-11, VCU scored eight of the next nine points to take a 21-12 lead on a Max Shulga jumper at 4:24.
• Saint Joseph's remained steadfast and closed the half on a 13-2 run, capped by a three-pointer from
Erik Reynolds II to make it 25-23 in favor of the Hawks at halftime.
• Behind an 8-2 start, VCU regained the lead, 31-27, less than two minutes into the second half.
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Lynn Greer III put the Hawks back in front, 39-37, on a jumper at 12:54.
• The Rams built their lead no higher than four, as Saint Joseph's countered at nearly every chance.
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Rasheer Fleming evened the score at 55-55 on a basket inside with 3:43 to play.
• A Zeb Jackson layup gave the Rams a 61-57 lead with 1:35 to play.
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Cameron Brown answered with a three-pointer to bring the Hawks to within one, 61-60.
• VCU got a bucket from Joe Bamisile with 42 seconds remaining.
• Saint Joseph's couldn't convert on its next possession, as the Rams' hit 3-4 free throws in the final 12 seconds to hold off the Hawks.
Inside The Boxscore
• Reynolds II finished with a team-best 18 points and added four assists and two rebounds.
• With four three-pointers on the afternoon, Reynolds II moved into a tie for second-most three-pointers in a single season at 108 alongside Langston Galloway (2013-14).
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Cameron Brown added 13 points, three rebounds and two steals.
• Fleming finished with a game-high 12 rebounds to go with eight points, three assists and two steals.
• Greer II handed out six assists, scored eight points and added two rebounds.
• The Hawks finished with 19 assists on 24 made field goals.