VCU claims Atlantic 10 title with Shulga's standout performance
- VCU led by eight points at halftime but faced a resurgence from George Mason in the second half.
- Max Shulga's critical three-pointer and Joe Bamisile's free throws helped secure the win.
- This victory allowed VCU to claim the Atlantic 10 title and a spot in the NCAA tournament.
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C., the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rams triumphed over George Mason University to capture the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament championship. This victory granted VCU an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament. VCU had an eight-point lead at halftime, holding a score of 36-28. However, as the second half progressed, George Mason managed to shrink the lead with back-to-back three-pointers, tightening the competition to just a two-point difference at 45-43. Max Shulga, named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, played a pivotal role in maintaining VCU's lead with his performance, scoring 18 points throughout the game, including a crucial three-pointer that helped push the Rams ahead. Joe Bamisile contributed by securing the win with two free throws in the final seconds. George Mason, led by Jalen Haynes with 17 points and eight rebounds, battled fiercely but fell short in the closing moments of the game. The contest showcased the close rivalry between the two teams, who had both ended the regular season with identical 15-3 records, thus sharing the regular season championship. With this victory, VCU continued its successful record in the Atlantic 10, marking the ninth time since joining the conference in the 2012-2013 season that they reached the championship game, showcasing their consistent competitiveness in college basketball.