Sports in Brief

Men’s Basketball

Rams 38 37 – 75
Lancers 24 39 – 63

FARMVILLE, Va. – Sophomore guard Eric Maynor led VCU to a 75-63 win over Longwood in sold out Willett Hall Monday, to open the season and Anthony Grant’s head-coaching career.

Mayno had 15 points and six assists in 35 minutes on the court.

The Rams dominated early, building a 25-9 lead in the first nine minutes. VCU kept the lead at double-figures through the first period before going into the break ahead 38-24. Senior guard B.A. Walker scored all 10 of his points in the first half.

The Rams kept the lead during the second half and led by as many as 21 points.

Longwood battled back, closing to the gap to 10 points with 36 seconds remaining in the game.

“I was pleased to get the win in a hostile environment,” said a pleased but frustrated Grant. “We didn’t play our best. We didn’t shoot particularly well In terms of rebounding, I was pleased in the first half, but they dominated us in the second half.”

Junior forward Michael Anderson had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Rams. Wil Fameni, also a junior forward, finished with 12 points and junior guard Jamal Shuler added 10 of his own.

VCU travels to the U.S. Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam Tournament where the Rams will face nationally-ranked Xavier on Friday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. EST.

Volleyball

Rams 19 31 38 19 – 1
Blue Hens 30 33 36 30 – 3

NEWARK, Del. – VCU dropped their final game of the season 3-1 to Delaware Saturday night.

The loss put the Rams at 14-14 overall this season and 8-10 in the Colonial Athletic Association. They begin the conference tournament at Hofstra University Friday as the no. 6 seed.

VCU will play either Towson or James Madison in the quarterfinal round Friday.