December 15, 2007

BOX SCORE

RICHMOND, Va. – Longwood University dropped a 78-45 men’s basketball road decision at VCU Saturday night at the Siegel Center in Richmond. The Rams (7-3) took advantage of a 26-3 run at the end of the first half and into the second half while cruising to the home victory, led by Eric Maynor with 17 points and five assists. The Lancers (2-10) will play again on Monday night, Dec. 17, hosting NAIA Virginia Intermont at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 7 p.m. while looking to stop a nine-game winless streak.

At VCU, the Rams scored the first five points of the game and led 15-4 just 7:29 into the contest behind a pair of three-point field goals and a conventional three-point play inside by Michael Anderson who scored five quick points as did Jamal Shuler while Maynor also hit an early three-pointer. Longwood closed to within 15-9 at 11:38 but the hosts extended the advantage to 28-12 with 5:37 left until halftime after a 13-3 run. The visitors were within 30-18 at 2:52 before VCU closed the half with an 8-0 run to lead comfortably at the intermission by a score of 38-18.

VCU’s Maynor took over and scored 12 of his team’s first 15 points of the second half, including 11-straight, as the hosts led 56-21 at 13:20 while completing the 26-3 run over the 9:19 stretch covering both halves. Longwood tried to recover and ran off 12 unanswered points to pull within 56-33 with 9:40 left to play but could get no closer. Freshman Durann Neil/Pleasantville, N.J. (Leap Academy) scored five points during the 12-0 run, while junior Kirk Williams/White Plains, N.Y. (Woodlands) added a three-point play inside for the Lancers.

Williams, Neil, and senior Brandon Giles/Gaithersburg, Md. (Magruder) each scored seven points to lead Longwood. Neil posted a career-high in points, playing 16 minutes off the bench, while sophomore Beno Jaekel/Jussara, Brazil (Western Nebraska CC) grabbed a career-high seven rebounds off the bench as well for the Lancers. LU shot 26% (14-54) from the field, including 16% (3-19) on three-point field goals, and 67% (14-21) at the free throw line.

Maynor finished with 17 points to lead VCU, adding five assists while making 4-5 three-pointers. Larry Sanders added his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Rams, almost earning a triple-double with eight blocks as well. VCU shot 48% (31-65) from the field, including 39% (9-23) on three-pointers, and 70% (7-10) at the line.

It was just the third-ever meeting between Longwood and VCU in men’s basketball as the Rams now lead the brief series 3-0.