MAYNOR TAKES CONTROL IN SECOND HALF, LEADS VCU TO 80-75 WIN OVER ODU
Rams remain in first place in CAA
1-20-07
boxscore

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University, led by sophomore guard Eric Maynor’s (Fayetteville, N.C./Westover) game-high 23 points and six assists, beat Old Dominion University, 80-75, in Colonial Athletic Association action Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 7,694 at the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.  With the win, VCU remains in sole possession of first place at 8-0 in league play.

The first half was dominated by runs as momentum swung in each squad’s direction on numerous occasions.  Old Dominion (12-7, 5-3) scored two quick baskets over the first 1:35 of the contest to take an early 4-0 lead but VCU (16-3, 8-0) would go on an 11-2 run over the next three minutes, led by two three-pointers by senior guard B.A. Walker (Onancock, Va./Nandua), to claim an 11-6 lead with 15:09 remaining in the opening period.  After the Rams held a 13-10 lead with 14:26 to go, ODU went on a 12-3 run to claim a 22-16 lead at the 7:02 mark.  The Rams would follow with a 7-1 run to tie the score at 23-23 on a layup by Maynor, who was 13 of 15 from the free throw line on the night, with 4:57 left in the half.  ODU closed the period on a 14-4 run and took a 37-30 advantage into the locker room.

ODU would extend its lead to 46-34 through the first four minutes of the second half but the Rams would use a 13-2 spurt over the next two minutes to pull within one point at 48-47 with 14:13 remaining.  VCU again would use a run of 22-11 over the next seven minutes to take a four-point lead at 61-57 with 7:03 to go.  ODU would take its final lead at 63-61 at the 6:08 mark.  The Rams would close the game on a 19-12 run led by Maynor’s 13 points during the final stretch.

Walker, who was 3 of 6 from behind the arc, added 19 points for VCU, while junior guard Jamal Shuler (Jacksonville, N.C./Jacksonville) scored 11 points on 3 of 4 shooting from three-point range.  Senior guard Jesse Pellot-Rosa (Richmond, Va./George Wythe) added nine points and nine rebounds for the Rams.

ODU had four players in double figures led by junior guard Brandon Johnson’s (Orlando, Fla./Edgewater) 20 points.  Junior guard Brian Henderson (Richmond, Va./Varina) scored 14 points, while senior guard Drew Williamson (Burlington, N.C./Cummings) added 12.  Senior forward Valdas Vasylius (Klaipeda, Lithuania/Norfolk Collegiate) chipped in 10 points for the Monarchs.

VCU, under the direction of first-year head coach Anthony Grant, returns to CAA action on Wednesday, Jan. 24, with a 7 p.m. contest at George Mason.