Commodores outlast Rams

Senior guard Eric Maynor poured in 23 of his game-high 31 points in the second half, but VCU was unable to overcome A.J. Ogilvy and Vanderbilt Sunday at the Cancun Challenge: Vanderbilt 71, VCU 66. Maynor, who topped 30 points for the second time in three games, was selected to the Cancun Challenge All-Tournament Team along […]

December 1, 2008; 12:15 PM • by FTRea

Senior guard Eric Maynor poured in 23 of his game-high 31 points in the second half, but VCU was unable to overcome A.J. Ogilvy and Vanderbilt Sunday at the Cancun Challenge: Vanderbilt 71, VCU 66.

Maynor, who topped 30 points for the second time in three games, was selected to the Cancun Challenge All-Tournament Team along with sophomore Larry Sanders, who scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked five shots for the Rams (3-3). Maynor added five steals and three assists for VCU.

Tournament MVP A.J. Ogilvy scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Commodores (5-1), who pushed out to an 18-point lead early in the second half behind their sophomore center. Ogilvy was 11-of-16 from the field in the game, including 2-of-2 from 3-point range.

The Rams, keyed by their full-court press, began to chip away midway through the second period. VCU forced eight turnovers during a 22-8 burst to pull within 48-47 with 11:11 showing. Maynor had 11 points during the run.

The game remained nip-and-tuck the rest of the way. Vanderbilt’s Brad Tinsley knocked down a 3-pointer with 4:53 left to stretch the Commodore lead to 63-55, but Maynor answered on the next possession with one of his three 3-pointers on the evening.

A Brandon Rozzell trey with 1:19 left pulled the Rams to within two, at 68-66. But VCU would get no closer, as Vanderbilt knocked down 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch.

The Commodores held a 34-25 edge on the glass, but turned the ball over 23 times, including 15 in the second half. Vanderbilt also knocked down 26-of-30 free throws, while VCU was 10-of-16 from the line.

The Rams return to Richmond for their next contest, when they host Western Michigan at the Siegel Center on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

– The information above was provided by Chris Kowalczyk at VCU