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VCU downs Richmond to reach A-10 semis

Mar 15, 2014 - 5:05 AM Brooklyn, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Briante Weber shot 8-of-10 from the field on his way to 18 points, as the No. 23 VCU Rams downed the Richmond Spiders, 71-53, in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Barclays Center.

Treveon Graham poured in 14 points for second-seeded VCU (25-7), which will take on George Washington in the semifinals on Saturday. Melvin Johnson added 13 points, while Mo Alie-Cox hauled in 10 rebounds.

Weber, well known for his defensive prowess with a nation-leading 3.6 spg, came in scoring just 9.1 ppg.

"I just came out with a mindset to attack," Weber said. "We definitely came here with the mindset to win this thing."

For seventh-seeded Richmond (19-14), ShawnDre' Jones had 18 points, Terry Allen netted 16 and Alonzo Nelson-Ododa grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked four shots.

VCU shot just 38.9 percent from the field in the first half, but it held Richmond to only 33.3 percent shooting and attempted 15 more field goals than the Spiders, as it went into intermission with a comfortable 38-22 lead.

The Rams' advantage was never in question in the second stanza, as their lead swelled as high as 24 down the stretch.

"We haven't been confused with the Showtime Lakers in terms of the points we put on the board," VCU coach Shaka Smart said. "We take points any time we can get them."

Game Notes

VCU played in the championship game last season versus Saint Louis, losing by a score of 62-56 ... The Rams defeated Richmond by just six points (56-50) eight days ago ... VCU won the rebounding battle, 50-28, and outscored Richmond in the paint, 28-18.