WALKER SCORES 23, MAYNOR HAS 16 POINTS AND 12 ASSISTS IN 2OT WIN
1-3-07
boxscore

TOWSON, Md. – Senior guard B.A. Walker (Onancock, Va./Nandua) scored 23 points, including 21 after halftime, as Virginia Commonwealth University outlasted Towson University 84-80 in double overtime Wednesday evening in Colonial Athletic Association action at the Towson Center.

The Rams (10-3, 2-0 CAA) fought from behind throughout the final 10 minutes of regulation and both overtime periods. Walker buried a three-pointer with 34.5 seconds left in the second OT period to put the Rams on top for good at 82-80. Junior guard Jamal Shuler (Jacksonville, N.C./Jacksonville) sank a pair of free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining to secure the win for the Rams.

VCU trailed by six with 2:40 remaining in the first overtime period before Shuler hit a three-pointer with 2:28 left to cut the deficit in half. Sophomore guard Eric Maynor’s (Fayetteville, N.C./Westover) hit a layup with 8.5 seconds left to knot the score at 70-70 and force a second overtime period.

The Tigers jumped out to an 11-7 lead in the game’s first seven minutes before the Rams used a 16-4 run to take a 23-15 advantage with 6:50 left in the half. VCU would take a 25-20 lead at the break. Towson went more than nine minutes without a field goal, from the 9:35 mark to 15 seconds left in the half.

VCU led by as many as 10 early in the second half before the Tigers used a 15-4 run to take a 42-41 lead with 11 minutes left in regulation. The Rams trailed the final nine minutes until senior guard Jesse Pellot-Rosa (Richmond, Va./George Wythe) hit two free throws with 3.9 seconds left to tie the score at 58-58.

Walker scored 13 points in the second half and eight in overtime. Pellot-Rosa finished with 19 points. Maynor had 16 points and a career-high 12 assists, registering his second collegiate double-double. Shuler added 10 points for the Rams.

Towson senior guard Gary Neal led all scorers with 36 points. Senior forward Dennard Abraham also had a double-double for the Tigers, with 16 points and 12 boards. Sophomore guard Tim Crossin hit four three-pointers for 12 points for the home team.

This was VCU’s first double-overtime game since Feb. 25, 2004, when the Rams won 71-69 at Delaware. VCU had won six of its past seven overtime games over the past four seasons.

VCU, under the direction of first-year head coach Anthony Grant, return to CAA action on Saturday, Jan. 6, with a 7 p.m. contest at James Madison.