VCU Athletics-Men's Basketball

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH STAYS UNBEATEN WITH 82-78 OVERTIME WIN OVER COLORADO
11-29-99
For the second time in as many games, the Virginia Commonwealth men's basketball team rallied to force overtime and came away with a win as the Rams defeated Colorado 82-78 in extra time on Sunday in the ALLTEL Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. It was the third straight regular season non-conference win for the Rams this year, a feat the Rams haven't accomplished in one season since the 1994-95 campaign.

Career highs in both the backcourt and post positions helped give the Rams the victory. Junior guard LaMar Taylor (Richmond, Va.) established a career best as he scored a game-high 24 points, including four free throws in the game's final seconds that sealed the win for Virginia Commonwealth. Junior center L.F. Likcholitov (St. Petersburg, Russia) had an outstanding game as
well, posting a career-high 16 points for the Rams to go along with 10 rebounds, also a personal best, for the first double-double of his career. Jaquay Walls led the way for Colorado as he scored 22 points.

A three-pointer by Virginia Commonwealth opened the game, but it would be the Rams' only lead of the first period. The Buffaloes quickly tied the score and proceeded to extend their lead as they were able to get good looks at the basket. Colorado shot 53.6 percent (15-of-28) in the first
half as it built up a 10-point lead. The Rams were able to cut into the deficit, but still trailed 39-32 at the half.

The Buffaloes maintained their advantage for most of the second half, but Virginia Commonwealth remained within striking distance. Finally, at the 3:57 mark, the Rams took their first lead of the second period when junior guard Bo Jones (Richmond, Va.) hit a three-pointer to give Virginia
Commonwealth a 64-63 edge.

The two teams traded the lead for the next several possessions. Walls hit a trey with just under 90 seconds left in regulation to give his team a 70-66 lead. A few seconds later, Taylor hit two free throws to cut the deficit in half, and Likcholitov evened the score with a tip-in with 38 seconds remaining that would force overtime.

Colorado once again jumped on top in the extra frame and led 76-72 with 2:47 left to play. The Rams then put together another rally. Consecutive three-point baskets from Taylor and teammate Scott Lilly (Charlotte, N.C.) put the Rams up 78-76. Taylor hit two free throws with 23 seconds left to give Virginia Commonwealth an 80-76 lead, and the Buffaloes were unable to recover.

Virginia Commonwealth is now 3-0, the first time since 1993 that the Rams have started the season with three wins, while Colorado suffered its first loss of the year and is now 3-1. The final game of Virginia Commonwealth's season opening homestand will be Tuesday when the Rams play host to Tulane. That game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

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