Evans, VCU beat Temple 57-51 in Legends Classic
NEW YORK -- Marcus Evans scored nine of his 21 points in the final four minutes to help VCU beat Temple 57-51 on Monday night in the opening round of the Legends Classic at the Barclays Center.
VCU, which squandered a 17-point first-half lead before rallying down the stretch, will play St. John's in the championship game Tuesday.
Ernest Aflakpui made 1 of 2 free throws to give Temple (4-1) its biggest lead of the game at 48-44 with five minutes to go. VCU, however, scored 13 of the final 17 points -- including nine by Evans -- as the Owls went 1 for 10 from the field and 2 for 6 from the free-throw line over the final 6 1/2 minutes.
Nate Pierre-Louis had 11 points, eight rebounds and a career-high six steals for Temple. Quinton Rose had eight points on 4-of-15 shooting and Shizz Alston Jr. made 2 of 14 from the field and finished with six points. That duo came in averaging a combined 40.5 points per game.
VCU scored the first 11 points and led 21-4 midway through the first half. Temple missed 12 of its first 14 field-goal attempts, including all five 3-point shots, and committed four turnovers in the first 9 1/2 minutes.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Chris Beaver
- D.J. Carstensen
- John Floyd
2023-24 American Athletic Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
South Florida | 16-2 | - | 25-8 |
Florida Atlantic | 14-4 | 2 | 25-9 |
Charlotte | 13-5 | 3 | 19-12 |
UAB | 12-6 | 4 | 23-12 |
Memphis | 11-7 | 5 | 22-10 |
SMU | 11-7 | 5 | 20-13 |
North Texas | 10-8 | 6 | 19-15 |
Tulsa | 7-11 | 9 | 16-15 |
East Carolina | 7-11 | 9 | 15-18 |
Tulane | 5-13 | 11 | 14-17 |
Temple | 5-13 | 11 | 16-20 |
Wichita State | 5-13 | 11 | 15-19 |
UTSA | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |
Rice | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |
2023-24 Atlantic 10 Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Richmond | 15-3 | - | 23-10 |
Loyola Chicago | 15-3 | - | 23-10 |
Massachusetts | 11-7 | 4 | 20-11 |
VCU | 11-7 | 4 | 24-14 |
Duquesne | 10-8 | 5 | 25-12 |
George Mason | 9-9 | 6 | 20-12 |
St. Bonaventure | 9-9 | 6 | 20-13 |
Saint Joseph's | 9-9 | 6 | 21-14 |
La Salle | 6-12 | 9 | 16-17 |
Fordham | 6-12 | 9 | 13-20 |
Rhode Island | 6-12 | 9 | 12-20 |
Davidson | 5-13 | 10 | 15-17 |
Saint Louis | 5-13 | 10 | 13-20 |
George Washington | 4-14 | 11 | 15-17 |