VCU rallies to defeat Saint Joseph’s, 85-82

PHILADELPHIA – Mo Alie-Cox scored 10 straight points late in the game as VCU (10-5; 2-0 A-10) fought back from a 13-point deficit and defeated Saint Joseph’s, 85-82, in an Atlantic 10 game at Hagan Arena. The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Hawks (11-2; 1-1 A-10).

The loss ruined a 31-point effort by Saint Joseph’s senior Isaiah Miles, his second 30-plus point game of the year. DeAndre’ Bembry added 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists for the Hawks, while James Demery chipped in 11.

Melvin Johnson led VCU with 25 points as he connected on five three-pointers for the Rams. JeQuan Lewis had 19 points and Cox finished with 14 on 6-for-7 shooting for VCU.

Despite leading most of the second half, Saint Joseph’s missed 10 free throws in the period, including three in the final three minutes as the Hawks were clinging to the lead. SJU finished 17-for-29 from the line in the game.

With SJU leading 76-70 at 2:53, Cox started his 10-point spurt and put the Rams up 78-77 at1:34. Bembry tied it with a free throw but Cox scored another to give VCU the 80-78 lead. Demery scored the Hawks’ final four points while Lewis had four and Johnson hit a free throw at :06 to ice the win. The Hawks had one more try but Bembry’s long-distance attempt was off the mark.

Saint Joseph’s trailed 38-35 at halftime, but the Hawks came out flying in the second half, running off 13 straight points to take a 48-38 lead as Miles hit for seven points. VCU broke its scoreless string with a basket by Michael Gilmore at 16:10 to cut it to 48-40.

Miles connected on three straight three-pointers in a two-minute span to give SJU a 67-55 lead and the Hawks took a 13-point margin for the second time, 70-57, after a free throw by Bembry at7:11.

From there, VCU chipped away, outscoring the Hawks, 21-7, while SJU committed three of its 18 turnovers and missed three foul shots as the Rams took the lead, 78-77.

“The disappointment is not in losing. The disappointment is in controllable factors,” said Hawk coach Phil Martelli. “It’s always been a game of numbers, and we didn’t answer well enough. The hurt is in giving away a league home game. They have to be valued. We led for most of that game, and unfortunately, we didn’t finish it.”

“The same group that won seven straight will be here Thursday, and we’ll get better.”

Saint Joseph’s returns to action on Sunday, January 10 when it hosts Rhode Island in a noon start.

Other game in the Atlantic 10

Rhode Island 77 Richmond 65

The Rams (10-5; 2-0 A-10) knocked down their first eight attempts from 3-point land, en route to finishing 12-of-17 from beyond the arc – good for 70.6 percent for the game. READ MORE.