University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
VCU
UMass Falls To VCU, 86-68
February 15, 2013 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2013
RICHMOND, Va. - VCU opened the second half with a 21-1 run and erased a five-point UMass halftime lead en route to a 86-68 win at the Siegel Center Thursday.
Raphiael Putney finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks for his fifth-career double-double and first of the season. Chaz Williams had seven assists and nine rebounds but also committed six turnovers.
UMass (16-7, 6-4 Atlantic 10) shot 41 percent but was just 6-of-22 for 27 pct. in the second half. The Minutemen shot 51 pct in the opening 20 minutes and held a 42-37 lead at the intermission.
Treveon Graham scored 19 points for VCU (20-5, 8-2). Melvin Johnson had 18 and Rob Brandenberg added 12 points. The Rams did their damage with pressure defense in the first 6:10 of the second half, forcing UMass into seven of its 13 second-half miscues during the stretch. UMass committed a season-high 24 turnovers.
In the first half, UMass used a 16-5 run to take a 37-32 lead with 3:03 on the clock before a 42-37 halftime edge.
Freddie Riley had 12 points and Cady Lalanne finished with six points and five blocks. The Minutemen had ten blocks as a team, their most since 11 in the season-opener.
UMass will return home to play host to Temple on Saturday evening. Tip-off at the Mullins Center is set for 6 p.m.
