Video – VCU defeats Northeastern

RICHMOND, Va. – Senior Eric Maynor (Raeford, N.C.) pumped in 17 of his game-high 29 points in the second half to power Virginia Commonwealth University past South Dakota State, 72-56, Wednesday at the Alltel Pavilion.

The Rams (2-0), playing their second of two regional Cancun Challenge games, led by just seven, at 52-45 with 8:47 remaining before Maynor took over. With eight points, Maynor fueled a decisive 19-5 run over the next four minutes to push VCU to a 71-49 lead with 4:20 showing on the clock.

Maynor connected on 11-of-19 field goals and narrowly missed his career-high for points. The 6-3 senior scored 30 points at Bradley Dec. 22, 2007.

Sophomore Larry Sanders (Fort Pierce, Fla.) scored nine points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked seven shots for the Rams, while junior Kirill Pishchalnikov (Maykop, Russia) added six points and a career-high 10 rebounds.

Garrett Callahan scored 21 points to lead the Jackrabbits (1-2). Teammate Clint Sargent knocked down 5-of-9 3-pointers on the way to 20 points. SDSU hit 9-of-20 treys in the game but was just 8-of-35 from everywhere else.

VCU returns to the floor on Saturday, Nov. 22 when it heads to Kingston, R.I. to meet the University of Rhode Island at 7 p.m. at the Ryan Center.