The end to regular-season conference play mirrored
the way it began for VCU: with a win over William
and Mary. Points weren’t as plentiful the second time
around, but the Rams still earned a 54-43 victory
Saturday at Kaplan Arena.
Michael Anderson (Virginia Beach/Landstown)
led all scorers with 18 points, tying his career high.
The senior opened the game with a 3-pointer and
later converted on another to give the Rams a 14-4
lead in the midst of a nine-minute scoreless drought
for the Tribe.
“I was more aggressive tonight,” Anderson said of
his performance, which also included four 3-point
attempts, six rebounds and a blocked shot on the
perimeter.
Down 25-16 at halftime, William and Mary opened
the second half on a 14-7 run to close within 2
points.
Freshman Brandon Rozzell (Richmond/Highland
Springs) gave the Rams the spark they needed,
scoring 8 points and forcing a key steal. He was left
open on the wing several times and knocked down
two 3-pointers.
“I play with a great point guard, so when the defense
collapses on him, I try to help out,” Rozzell said.
The Tribe, which shot more 3-pointers than any
CAA team this season, was only 16 percent (4 of
25) from 3-point range.
“There was a level of concern for us with the
number of 3-point shooters they have,” said VCU
coach Anthony Grant. “The whole key for us was
what we did at the defensive end.”
William and Mary occasionally went with a lineup
of five players that were 3-point threats, but the Rams
were able to counter.
“With our team, we’ve got some versatility,”
Grant said.
VCU finishes the regular season 23-6 overall and a
CAA-best 15-3 in the conference, three games ahead
of second-place UNC Wilmington. The Rams will
play the winner of Friday’s game between Hofstra and
Towson Saturday at noon in the CAA Tournament
at the Richmond Coliseum.
—
By the numbers
VCU (15-3 CAA, 23-6): Pishchalnikov
1, Anderson 18, Maynor 12, Rodriguez
0, Shuler 8, Sanders 3, Smith 0, Rozzell
8, Ndongo 0, Kearse 0, Brown 0, Gwynn
4, Nixon 0. Totals: 19 9-17 54. 3-pointers:
Anderson 2, Maynor, Shuler 2, Rozzell 2.
William and Mary (10-8, 14-15): Kisielius
3, Stratton 0, Schneider 8, Mann 9, Carrabine
2, Lazarescu 0, Skara 0, Stein 15, Sumner
4, Darnell 0, Kitts 2. Totals: 15 9-13 43.
3-pointers: Schneider 2, Mann, Stein.