NEWS
Men’s Basketball Edged By Rams, 61-59
Desmond Watson and other players stepped up with Foster Loyer on the bench. The ‘Cats came up a bucket short against the Rams.
DAVIDSON — Ace Baldwin’s jumper with 15.1 seconds to play lifted VCU to a 61-59 win over Davidson in Atlantic 10 men’s basketball Tuesday night in Belk Arena.
Playing without guard Foster Loyer (illness), Davidson fell to 10-12 overall and 3-7 in the A-10, while VCU (17-6, 8-2) became the first league team to reach eight wins.
Baldwin’s pull-up jumper from the elbow broke a 58-all tie in what had been a one-possession contest for much of the second half. Davidson had a chance to answer, as Desmond Watson was fouled on a jumper with 4.5 seconds left. Watson’s first free throw cut it to one, but he missed the second. After VCU’s Jamir Watkins hit one of two free throws with 3.5 ticks left, Sam Mennenga rebounded the ball and raced to midcourt. But his desperation shot from deep missed the mark at the final horn.
Watson led Davidson with 12 points, while David Skogman scored 11 and Grant Huffman had 10. Achile Spadone played a season-high 29 minutes off the bench and scored a personal-best six points.
Baldwin led the Rams with 14 points, while Brandon Johns and Jalen DeLoach each had 12.
The Rams closed the first half on a 7-0 run, cutting Davidson’s lead to 34-32 at the break. VCU finished with a 20-5 advantage in points off turnovers and a 13-6 edge in second-chance points.
Up Next
The Wildcats return to the road Saturday when they visit A-10 foe UMass for a 12:30 p.m. contest.