RAMS PUSH UCLA TO THE BRINK, BUT FALL, 65-64, IN NCAAS
3-19-09
Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – For a brief moment, it began to look like VCU déjà vu.

Ultimately, Virginia Commonwealth University was unable to pull off another stunning NCAA Tournament upset, dropping a 65-64 heartbreaker to UCLA Thursday before 17,140 at the Wachovia Center.

VCU senior Eric Maynor (Raeford, N.C.) scored a game-high 21 points, but his 18-foot fade-away jumper fell short as time expired. Two years ago, Maynor hit a 16-foot jump shot with 1.8 seconds left to beat Duke in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Maynor added seven assists and six rebounds, while sophomore Larry Sanders (Fort Pierce, Fla.) registered his 11th double-double of the season with 10 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots for the Rams (24-10). Freshman Bradford Burgess (Midlothian, Va.) chipped in with 10 points and junior T.J. Gwynn (Burlington, N.C.) added eight points and five boards off the bench.

Josh Shipp led five UCLA players in double figures with 16 points. Jrue Holiday threw in 13 points and six assists and Nikola Dragovic added 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The sixth-seeded Bruins (26-8) advance to face Villanova in the second round on Saturday, March 21. VCU, the No. 11 seed, has completed its season.

The Rams trailed by 11 at 55-44 with 8:04 remaining, but fought their way back into the game.

Maynor and sophomore Joey Rodriguez (Oviedo, Fla.) combined for an 8-0 run, including back-to-back 3-pointers, to pull VCU within 61-58 with 3:17 on the clock.

After the teams traded baskets, Maynor hit two free throws with 48.0 seconds remaining to trim the lead to 65-64.

On the ensuing UCLA possession, Sanders rejected a Collison layup attempt, which led to a shot-clock violation with 13.0 seconds left.

VCU had to go the length of the floor, and the Bruins pressured Maynor the entire way. With time winding down, Maynor drove left, stopped and pump-faked twice before letting go of his final shot.

Thursday’s loss brings a conclusion to the collegiate career of arguably the greatest player to wear a VCU uniform.

Maynor finishes as the Rams all-time leader in points (1,953), assists (674) and games played (130). A two-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, his jersey has already been retired by VCU.