VCU dismantles Davidson in Brooklyn

Final score: VCU 71, Davidson 53.

Location: The Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Current records: VCU 25-7. Davidson 16-16.

In a nutshell: #1 VCU certainly began its run in the Atlantic 10 tournament with a nice performance today. The Rams appeared to believe in their plan. As they dismantled #8 Davidson, the conference's regular season champions looked prepared, intense and confident over the ordeal's entire 40 minutes. 

These Rams didn't hesitate much, either; they are fast. And, speaking of fast moves, swingman Nick Kern snatched nine rebounds. VCU blocked 10 shots! 

On offense, Baldwin, Shriver and Watkins all scored 11 points. Nunn added 10. VCU held Davidson to 37 percent shooting from the field, while shooting at a 57 percent clip, itself. VCU's bench outscored Davidson's bench, 30-to-12. 

With all that, truly, it was the Rams nonstop scrambling and smothering defense that did most of the dismantling in this tilt. 

AP Short Summary: 

David Shriver, Jamir Watkins and Adrian Baldwin Jr. scored 11 points apiece to help lead top-seed VCU over eight-seed Davidson on Thursday in a 71-53 victory in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

Watkins added six rebounds and three blocks for the Rams (25-7). Shriver was 3 for 6 from beyond the arc. The Rams picked up their sixth straight victory.

Grant Huffman had 10 points and five assists for the Wildcats (16-16). David Skogman also scored 10 points for Davidson. Sam Mennenga had nine points and eight rebounds.

VCU took the lead with 13:23 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. Baldwin led his team in scoring with eight points in the first half to help put them up 37-28 at the break. VCU extended its lead to 54-39 during the second half, fueled by a 7-0 scoring run.

BOX SCORE

NEXT UP: #1 VCU (25-7) will play #4 Saint Louis (21-11) on Saturday at 1 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network. Local radio: WRNL 910 AM. 

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