8:54 p.m. – Hello everyone, and welcome to The Hatchet’s coverage of the 2013 A-10 championship.
I’m Elizabeth Traynor, the sports editor, and I’ll be covering tonight’s opening round against Massachusetts, set to tip at 9 p.m.
This is a departure from the usual form- liveblogs are not allowed during the A-10 championship, so I’ll be updating this blog periodically throughout game actions with my observations from the Barclays Center. Feel free to leave comments below, and follow along on Twitter: I’m tweeting from @hatchetsports and @ektraynor.
And as we get ready for the game, relive the qualifying game against Dayton and the Colonials’ victory over Massachusetts earlier this year.
9:02 p.m.- Both teams’ starting lineups have been announced. Tip in a few moments.
9:12 p.m.- Colonials exerting some control early and are up 7-4 with just under 16 minutes to go. But they’re just 3-13 overall, while Massachusetts is 2-5.
9:23 p.m.- With 11:49 to go, Massachusetts has tied it at 13, largely off the strength of its 50 percent shooting and despite its four turnovers. Minutemen trying to disrupt GW’s offense with a press; Colonials still struggling with shot selection, just 5-19.
9:37 p.m.- Don’t look now, but GW is hitting its free throws: perfect from the line so far. Also notable? Someone scratched freshman forward Patricio Garino- his right arm is bleeding. Doesn’t look that bad, so no need to panic, Colonial fans. GW 24, UMass 21 with 7:31 in the first.
9:48 p.m.- With 3:42 left in the first, Massachusetts has a slim 29-28 lead over GW. Colonials are hitting free throws but struggling to convert their layups, despite a 13-3 advantage on the offensive boards.
9:59 p.m.- HALFTIME: Massachusetts 34, GW 31
10:16 p.m.- Second half begins with Massachusetts ball.
10:27 p.m.- Still a tight game here in the Barclays Center, with both teams tied at 39. Putback points from Isaiah Armwood have been huge so far this half. Freshman Kethan Savage twisted an ankle pretty badly, he subbed out of the game and is getting taped up by a trainer.
10:35 p.m.- Remember former Karl Hobbs recruit Trey Davis? He just sunk a trey for Massachusetts. It’s tied at 46 with 12:15 to play.
10:39 p.m.- Armwood cuts a Massachusetts lead to 49-48 with 11:19 to play- and gets so excited, he punches the ball out of bounds after it sinks through the net.
10:49 p.m.- Colonials playing with even more grit than usual tonight, especially Joe McDonald, who was literally run over by a much better Minuteman and hopped right back up. But UMass is up 55-53 with 7:19 to play, thanks largely to GW’s 15 turnovers and 34 percent shooting.
10:59 p.m.- With five minutes left, Vinson fouls out for Massachusetts. Has 14 points, four assists. 64-61 GW.
11:03 p.m.- Big part of GW’s game plan tonight appears to be drawing fouls off the big men for Massachusetts. Center Cady LaLanne fouls out with 2:43 to play and GW up 66-64.
11:08 p.m.- Big stretch of Massachusetts play. Trey Davis sinks a three to pull them within one, then a five-second violation gives him then ball back to score again. Lasan Kromah answers at the other end, teams trading buckets. 71-70 UMass with 1:44 to play.
11:13 p.m.- Like all the big GW games this year, it’s down to the wire. A Chaz Williams pick off Garino sends him crashing into media row. Timeout at 5.5 seconds with Massachusetts up 75-72. It’s UMass ball- will likely hold it out.
11:15 p.m.- FINAL: Massachusetts 77, #GWMBB 72. Check back later for our game story.