VCU used a workmen type effort to defeat UMass, 81-64. The Rams had four players in double digits led by JeQuan Lewis’ 17. UMass got a monster game out of sophomore big man, Rashaan Holloway. Holloway had 22 points and 11 rebounds.
In the first the Minutemen led by as many as 5 points but VCU was able to wrestle the lead away before the end of the half. Zach Lewis’ jumper gave UMass a 12-7 lead. After the Rams got closer Holloway scored a basket that gave UMass a 23-20 before VCU turned it on before the end of the half with a 13-6 run, with Doug Brooks scoring 10 of the 13 points. The run gave the Rams a 33-27 lead despite JeQuan Lewis not having any points.
In the first half both teams shot under 40% but VCU got 18 points off their bench and snatched 8 offensive rebounds.
UMass was led in the half by Rashaan Holloway’s 8 points 6 rebounds and Zach Lewis’ 7 points. VCU was led by Doug Brooks’ 10 points and Justin Tillman’s 8 points 7 rebounds.
In the second half, UMass cut the lead to a 1 but VCU went on a 7-0 run capped by J Lewis’ 3-point play giving the Rams a 45-37 lead. Lewis scored all of his 17 points in the second half. UMass continued to be largely a one-man team as Holloway led them with 14 points in the second half on 4-4 from the field and 6-6 from the free throw but it wasn’t nearly enough.
The Rams increased their lead to 19 points on a on two free throws by Jordan Burgess. UMass never got closer than 14 points after that.
VCU shot 47% from the 3-point line and outrebounded UMass 45-32.
VCU Leaders:
Points: JeQuan Lewis – 17
Rebounds: Justin Tillman – 10
Assists: JeQuan Lewis – 6
UMass Leaders
Points: Holloway – 22
Rebounds: Holloway – 11
Assists: DeJon Jarreau – 4
