Rams Rebound to Stop Seahawks

North Carolina natives Eric Maynor and Jamal Shuler combined for 40 points and VCU shut down one of the CAA’s most potent offenses on the way to a 72-57 victory over UNC Wilmington on Saturday evening at Trask Coliseum. Maynor, the CAA’s leading scorer and assist man, poured in 24 points, including 12-of-13 shooting at the […]

January 6, 2008; 6:07 PM • by FTRea

Maynor, the CAA’s leading scorer and assist man, poured in 24 points, including 12-of-13 shooting at the free throw line for VCU (9-4, 2-1 CAA). It was Maynor’s third straight 20-plus point performance and his league-leading seventh of the season.

Shuler pumped in 11 of his 16 points after halftime to help keep the Seahawks at bay. He finished 6-of-12 from the field for the Rams, who shot 45 percent (23-of-51) for the game.

In addition, VCU’s bench outscored UNCW’s, 25-5. Senior Wil Fameni led the way, providing 10 points and seven rebounds for the Black and Gold. Freshman Lance Kearse added five points and a personal-best seven rebounds.

Meanwhile, on the defensive end the Rams put the clamps down on the Seahawks. UNC Wilmington entered the game averaging 75.0 points per game, as well as shooting 47 percent from the floor. Saturday, VCU limited the ‘Hawks to 57 points on 40 percent (21-of-52) shooting. The Rams also forced 18 turnovers.

T.J. Carter led UNCW with 15 points, while Vladimir Kuljanin kicked in 12.

The Seahawks stormed out of the gate, getting a pair of Toddy Hendley layups and a Daniel Fountain 3-pointer on the way to a 9-0 lead.

However, following a Rams’ 30-second timeout at the 17:24 mark, VCU embarked on a 19-5 burst over the next nine minutes to take a 19-14 lead. The run was marked by a pair of technical fouls and subsequent ejection of Wilmington’s head coach Benny Moss with 14:41 left in the half. Maynor stepped to the line and hit three of four free throws to cut the Seahawks lead to 12-11.

VCU’s lead would grow to as many as 10, at 30-20, when Fameni hit a baseline jumper with 3:14 left. UNCW would not seriously threaten VCU again as the Rams held a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half.

VCU returns to action on Thurs., Jan. 10, when it hosts Georgia State at the Stuart C. Siegel Center at 7:30 p.m.

– This report came in from Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant Director of Athletic Communications