MAYNOR ONE OF THREE RAMS TO HIT 20 POINTS AS VCU TOPS HOUSTON 102-84
12-2-06
boxscore

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University, led by sophomore guard Eric Maynor’s (Fayetteville, N.C./Westover) career-high 28 points and 11 assists, had three players score at least 20 as they beat the University of Houston, 102-84, Saturday night at the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

VCU and Houston traded field goals over the first six minutes of the contest before Cougars forward Jamal Thorpe’s (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) jumper at the 13:41 mark gave Houston its only lead of the game at 7-6.  The Rams would follow with a 22-4 run over the next six minutes, which included four of senior guard B.A. Walker’s (Onancock, Va./Nandua) six three-pointers, to take a 28-11 advantage with 7:43 remaining before the break.  VCU would close the half on an 18-8 run, taking a 49-27 lead into the locker room. 

Houston outscored VCU in the second half, 57-53, but the Rams maintained a 20-point lead for much of the period.

“Coming into the game, we knew that Houston put up 93 points a game and we knew the number of three-pointers they make per game and the number they take," said VCU head coach Anthony Grant. "We knew we had to do a great job on defense, especially at the three-point line. The guys set the tone early. I’m proud of the effort of the entire team, especially on the defensive end. They had an understanding of what we needed to do, especially defensively and at the three-point line.”

“ In my three years at the University of Houston, I can’t remember a team that has impressed me more that Virginia Commonwealth University," said Houston head coach Tom Penders. "Credit their defense. They were quick. They pressured us, forced turnovers and turned them into points.”

Walker, who was 6 for 9 in three-point opportunities, finished with a season-high 26 points on 10 of 16 shooting, while senior guard Jesse Pellot-Rosa (Richmond, Va./George Wythe) tied a career-high with 20 points.  Junior forward Michael Anderson (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown) added 11 points for the Rams.  The last time VCU placed three players in double figures was on January 1, 2005 at George Mason.

Saturday’s victory over Houston marks the seventh straight game the Rams had at least four players in double figures. 

The last time VCU scored 100-plus points came in a 101-76 win over Towson on January 28, 2004.

VCU, under the direction of first-year head coach Anthony Grant, will play at Albany on Wednesday, December 6, before visiting the University of Richmond on Saturday, December 9, at 7 p.m. in the Black & Blue Classic, sponsored by Virginia Farm Bureau.