Barclays Center—-In a commanding performance, Joe Bamisile emerged as a key contributor off the bench, tallying 18 points to propel VCU to a decisive 73-59 victory over UMass in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament held in New York on Thursday.
With this win, VCU (21-12) secures a spot in the semifinals, where they are set to face off against No. 9 seed Saint Joseph’s on Friday.
Bamisile showcased his scoring prowess by shooting 6 for 9 from the field, including an impressive 4 for 6 from beyond the arc for the Rams. Joining him in the offensive onslaught, Zeb Jackson contributed 17 points, connecting on 3 of 9 field goals and displaying accuracy from the free-throw line, where he converted 10 of 11 attempts. Jackson also showcased his playmaking abilities with five assists and demonstrated defensive prowess with four steals. Sean Bairstow added nine points, shooting 2 for 5 from the field and maintaining efficiency from the free-throw line.
For UMass (20-11), Rahsool Diggins led the charge with 21 points, while Josh Cohen contributed 14 points, along with six rebounds and two steals. Jayden Ndjigue provided additional support with eight points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
From the onset, VCU seized control of the game, claiming the lead with 10:19 remaining in the first half and maintaining their advantage throughout. Heading into halftime with a commanding 42-25 lead, Jackson led the charge with 11 points, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Bamisile continued his scoring momentum in the second half, contributing nine crucial points to secure VCU’s path to the semifinals.
The Rams will face off against the Saint Joseph’s Hawks, who knocked the University of Richmond Spiders out of the tournament Thursday, in the A-10 Semifinals on Saturday, March 16.
