This post was written by Hatchet reporter Mark Eisenhauer.
Saint Joseph’s upsets VCU
Despite entering Saturday’s game with a 15-7 overall record and a 5-3 conference record, the Hawks were considered no contest for a powerhouse VCU team. Winning 11 of their last 12, VCU received 44 votes in the AP poll last week and looked poised to break the top 25 in the coming weeks. But, the road hurt the Rams once again as they fell to St. Joe’s 69-62. Senior guard Langston Galloway led the Hawks with an impressive 24 points, while freshman Deandre Bembry added 18. The St. Joe’s defense held VCU’s top scorer, Juvonte Reddic, to only 17 points. The loss puts VCU in third place in the A-10, behind GW (who currently holds the tiebreaker), and heightens the importance of Wednesday’s meeting between the Rams and Colonials.
Mason gets first conference win, No. 13 Saint Louis continues domination
\George Mason won its first conference game Saturday against Duquesne, 74-68 in Pittsburgh. Senior guard Sherrod Wright scored 23 points to help the Patriots break a nine-game losing streak. Although still in last place, this is a step in the right direction for a struggling Mason squad.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Saint Louis continued its conference domination, taking down Saint Joe’s 65-49 Wednesday and La Salle 65-63 Saturday. After breezing by Saint Joe’s, the Bilikens faced
more of a challenge at La Salle, but senior guard Jordair Jett ensured the victory with 25 points, including the game-winning basket. Saint Louis remains undefeated and keeps its school-record 16-game win streak alive. They will host the Colonials next Saturday, Feb. 22.