WALKER SCORES 25 AS VCU COMES FROM BEHIND TO WIN AT ALBANY 75-57
12-6-06
boxscore

ALBANY, N.Y. – Senior guard B.A. Walker (Onancock, Va./Nandua) led all scorers with 25 points, including 19 in the second half, as Virginia Commonwealth University erased a 10-point deficit and claimed a 75-57 victory at the University at Albany Wednesday evening in the SEFCU Arena.

The Rams (6-2) won their fourth straight game, while the Great Danes (2-4) lost their fourth consecutive contest and their first game at home.

Albany jumped out to an 11-3 lead in the first seven minutes and led by as many as 10, including 24-14 with nine minutes left in the first half. VCU ended the half on a 17-4 run and took a 31-28 lead at the break. Walker nailed a three-pointer with 55 seconds left in the period to give the Rams their first lead of the game at 29-28. Senior guard Jesse Pellot-Rosa (Richmond, Va./George Wythe) paced VCU in the first half with eight points and five offensive rebounds.

The Rams dominated the first eight minutes of the second half, using a 23-6 spurt to build a 54-34 advantage. VCU maintained a double-digit lead through the rest of the contest. The Rams led by as many 23 at 73-50 with 2:24 remaining before posting a 75-57 victory.

"Our guys did a great job tonight," said VCU head coach Anthony Grant. "We knew that we would have to weather the storm early. Albany is a tough, well-coached team that wanted to protect its building. We turned a 10-point deficit into a lead by halftime. In the second half, we did a better job being patient. We have an unselfish team. They make the extra pass. B.A. had another good shooting night. We did a great job staying active on the glass. Jesse and Michael Anderson did a good job keeping the ball alive on the glass."

For the eighth straight game, VCU had four score in double figures. Walker was 10 for 15 from the floor, including five three-pointers, for his 25 points. Walker now has 200 career treys. Pellot-Rosa finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, his second career double-double. Junior guard Jamal Shuler (Jacksonville, N.C./Jacksonville) had 11 points and junior forward Wil Fameni (Douala, Cameroon/Amelia Academy) added 10.

Jamar Wilson led the Great Danes with 14 points and seven boards. Jason Siggers chipped in 13 for Albany.

VCU won the battle on the glass 39-26. The Rams had 18 offensive boards. Along with Pellot-Rosa’s 10 rebounds, junior forward Michael Anderson (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown) pulled down nine caroms.

The Rams are back in action on Saturday evening as they visit the University of Richmond at 7 p.m. in the Robins Center in the Black and Blue Classic, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.