Rams win BracketBusters tilt; Sanders rejects Zips

Freshman Larry Sanders blocked a career-high nine shots, while senior Jamal Shuler provided 19 points to lead Virginia Commonwealth University past Akron, 57-52, in an O’Reilly Auto Parts ESPNU BracketBusters contest at Rhodes Arena. Sanders, who also grabbed seven rebounds and scored three points, punctuated a signature defensive performance for the Rams (21-6). The Zips (19-8) […]

February 23, 2008; 10:23 PM • by FTRea

Sanders, who also grabbed seven rebounds and scored three points, punctuated a signature defensive performance for the Rams (21-6). The Zips (19-8) entered the game as the Mid-American Conference’s highest scoring team (72.2), but VCU limited Akron to a season-low 28-percent shooting. The Zips were worse from the 3-point line, misfiring on 19 of 25 attempts.

“We felt like we had to defend the 3-point line and limit them in transition, I felt like we did a good job of that,” said VCU Head Coach Anthony Grant.

In a grinding contest, the Black and Gold used a traditional three-point play, followed by a Shuler trey to take a 44-39 lead with 5:49 remaining. They would not trail again.

Despite falling behind as many as eight, Akron trimmed the margin to two with 1:15 left, but missed on two opportunities to tie the game. VCU freshman Joey Rodriguez knocked down two free throws with 7.8 seconds left to make it 54-49.

VCU returns to CAA play on Wednesday, Feb. 27 when it hosts UNC Wilmington at the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center at 7 p.m.

– The information above was provided by VCU’s Chris Kowalczyk.