4-point play: Breaking down the Veterans Classic
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — VCU-Tennessee was dominated by the Rams, who won 85-69, while Michigan State-Navy was an intense back and forth between the two squads. The Spartans pulled it out in the final minute, 64-59.
How VCU and Michigan State won: The Rams can score. It's that simple. When Melvin Johnson goes 8-10 in the first half from the floor and three other players combine for 36 points, it's going to be hard to beat them. Compound that with Tennessee's inability to get anyone besides Josh Richardson and Detrick Mostella involved, and it was a tough game for the Volunteers.
VCU dominated from start to finish. Tennessee would score a basket, then give up two or three in a row. The Volunteers could not stop the Rams.
In the nightcap, the No. 18 Spartans had a 13-point lead as the clock crept under 18 minutes in the second half. Then Navy went on a 7-0 run, and it stayed in it until the end.
Navy continued to go basket for basket with the Spartans, cutting Michigan State's lead to one point with 11:16 to play. The outcome wasn't determined until the final minute.
Trevor Dunbar had to foul Michigan State guard Travis Trice with 17 seconds remaining, and he he hit three free throws in the final 20 seconds to clinch it for Michigan State.
Star Watch: VCU's Melvin Johnson went off in the first half, scoring 20 points, including 4-for-6 from 3-point range. He scored eight points in the matter of a minute. All of his points came in 13 minutes of playing time. He finished the night with 23.
Trice had 19 points, and carried the Spartans after Navy held Branden Dawson to two points in the second half. Trice also was 5-for-6 from 3-point range and made four free throws in the closing seconds to seal it for the Spartans.
What This Means: The fact that Navy was able to hang with one of the best teams in the country could be a good sign for the Midshipmen in Patriot League play. They hit big shots when needed. Michigan State still outshot and outrebounded the Midshipmen, but the Spartans also had 15 turnovers. Denzel Valentine six assists, but was 2-for-10 shooting. Michigan State has a few things to talk about with a Champions Classic matchup vs. Duke looming next week.
Scary moment: With 8:19 left in the first half, VCU guard JeQuan Lewis went up for a defensive rebound, bounced off two Tennessee players while airborne and fell to the ground. He hit his head hard, tensed up and his eyes rolled back into his head as he began shaking.
After the game, Rams coach Shaka Smart said Lewis did not suffer a seizure, but did sustain a concussion.
And 1: Tennessee led for eight seconds. VCU's Johnson scored five points in that same time span.