VCU holds back George Mason to win A-10 title

Mar 16, 2025, 04:33 PM ET WASHINGTON– Max Shulga scored 18 points and Joe Bamisile sealed the win with 2 free tosses with a half-second left as VCU held back George Mason 66-63 to win the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament championship Sunday.VCU led by eight at the break, 36-28, however George Mason got back-to-back 3-pointers from Jared Billups and Woody Newton to route by simply 2, 45-43, with more than 12 minutes to play. Shulga answered with a 3 and hit a pair of complimentary tosses before discovering Jack Clark for a 3 to push the VCU lead to 53-43. Darius Maddox struck a 3 with 2:27 delegated get the

Patriots within one at 59-58. Coming out of a timeout, Shulga held the ball at the top of the key, then calmly knocked down a step-back 3 with 1:59 left. Jalen Haynes’layup with 39 seconds left got George Mason within 3 however Zach Anderson missed a 3-pointer with:04 left and Newton was forced to foul Bamisile with a half-second left.Editor’s Picks Bamisile and Jack Clark each scored 17 points for VCU(28-6). Shulga

, the Atlantic 10 Gamer of the Year, hit 8 of 9 from the line as the Rams converted 22 of 27. Haynes led George Mason(26-8 )with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Maddox had 12 points to opt for 3 steals and Anderson and Brayden O’Connor each included 10 points.Virginia Commonwealth and George Mason tied for the regular-season championship with 15-3 records. The Rams reached the championship game game for the ninth time considering that joining the A-10 in 2012-13.