RICHMOND, Va. – Senior Eric Maynor (Raeford, N.C.) and sophomore Larry Sanders (Fort Pierce, Fla.) each provided possibly their finest performance of the season to energize Virginia Commonwealth University in a 78-67 victory over Delaware Wednesday at the Siegel Center.
The VCU victory also shifted the balance of power in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Rams improved to 12-4 in the CAA and moved into sole possession of first place after Northeastern fell to Georgia State, 70-68, Wednesday. VCU is 19-8 overall. Delaware slipped to 11-17 overall and 5-11 in the league.
Maynor scored 21 of his game-high 30 points in the second half to help rally VCU, which trailed, 38-36, at the break. The 2008 CAA Player of the Year also handed out 10 assists and committed just one turnover. It’s Maynor’s seventh 30-point game of his career, as well as his eighth double-double. However, it’s the first time he’s reached 30 points and 10 assists in the same contest.
Sanders scored 19 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked three shots. It’s the 6-10 forward’s second straight double-double and his seventh of the season. He grabbed 14 rebounds in the second half alone as VCU owned a 23-14 advantage on the glass in the period.
Junior Kirill Pishchalnikov (Maykop, Russia) added 11 points for the Rams, who shot 54 percent (28-of-52) for the game.
Marc Egerson led four Blue Hens in double figures with 18 points and nine rebounds. Jawan Carter added 15 for Delaware.
The Blue Hens hit 12 of their first 16 field goal attempts to race to a 30-19 lead. But Sanders scored eight points during a 17-8 VCU run to close the half.
The Rams return to action on Friday, Feb. 20 when they travel to Reno, Nev. for a first-time meeting with the University of Nevada at 9 p.m. (EST). The game, part of the annual BracketBusters, will be nationally televised by ESPNU.
