BALANCED ATTACK LEADS RAMS PAST DUKES, 77-61
1-6-07
boxscore

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Four Rams in double-digits and a double-double by sophomore Wil Fameni led the Black and Gold past the Dukes of James Madison, 77-61 in Colonial Athletic Association basketball action on Saturday evening.

The Rams improve to 11-3 and an unblemished 3-0 in the CAA, while the Dukes fall to 4-9 on the season and 1-2 in the conference.

James Madison jumped out of the gates on fire as Pierre Curtis nailed a three and Kyle Swanston slammed home a dunk to give the Dukes an early 7-2 advantage. The Rams would answer as five straight points by senior B.A. Walker gave VCU its first lead of the game 18-16 with 12:14 left in the first half.

Three-pointers from Eric Maynor and Walker gave the Black and Gold a 24-20 advantage with 6:02 remaining in the first half. Senior guard Jesse Pellot-Rosa nailed a long-range jumper from the right jumper to give the Rams their largest lead of the first half at 27-22 with 5:21 showing on the first half clock.

Junior Michael Anderson connected on four straight free throws in the final two minutes of the first half to give the Black and Gold a 31-26 lead at the intermission.

Stellar backcourt play led the Rams out of the locker room as Maynor, Pellot-Rosa and Walker scored VCU’s first 17 points in the second half as the trio combined for four three pointers and pushed the Rams advantage to 48-41 with 12:12 remaining in regulation.

Five straight points from Walker and two free throws from Franck Ndongo extended the Black and Gold’s lead to 60-46 with 8:13 left on the game clock.

Fameni keyed a 7-0 Rams run with five points and three rebounds in the span to give VCU its biggest lead of the game at 69-48 with 3:50 left in the contest.

Four points from senior Calvin Roland and a dunk from freshman James Eversley led the Rams the rest of the way as the Black and Gold held on for the 77-61 victory.

Walker led the way for the Rams as the senior dropped 24 points in the victorious effort. Pellot-Rosa added 12 and Fameni and Maynor each recorded 10 points for the Black and Gold. Fameni registered another double-double as he also pulled 10 rebounds.

Terrance Carter led the Dukes as he poured in 17 points and Colbey Santos added 15 points for James Madison

The Rams return to action on Monday evening at the Alltel Pavillion as the Huskies of Northeastern University come to Richmond for a 7 p.m. contest.