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CAA's Rams Best ACC's Devils
Virginia Commonwealth's Eric Maynor goes up for the shot during the Rams' 79-77 upset win over Duke.
(David Duprey - AP)
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Grant introduced it for the postseason and it has gained popularity. Several fans also shook chains at game's end.
"When we all touch that chain," senior guard B.A. Walker said, "we all are committed."
The game's tenor was feisty and physical. Maynor and Duke's Greg Paulus (career-high 25 points) engaged in jostling in the second half that got the attention of the officials.
Duke's Jon Scheyer got cut under his eye in the final minutes. And VCU fans never stopped yelling throughout the struggles and the rallies.
"It was a great battle the whole night," Maynor said.
Throughout the second half, every time it looked like Duke had control of the game, VCU answered with a key basket or run. Michael Anderson's two free throws with six minutes to play gave VCU a one-point advantage. Jesse Pellot-Rosa's jumper with two minutes remaining again put the Rams in front by a point.
Duke took a nine-point lead when Scheyer scored on a layup with 12 minutes remaining.
It didn't take VCU long to rally behind the hot outside shooting of guard Jamal Shuler, who made two three-pointers within a minute to keep the Rams close.
Duke's DeMarcus Nelson scored on a layup with 12 seconds remaining to tie the game. Maynor said he looked at Grant to try to get his coach not to call a timeout. Instead of stopping the clock, VCU decided to push the ball upcourt, looking for Maynor to try to win the game.
Maynor already had scored on two drives to the basket in the final two minutes.
This time, though, he decided to pull up over Scheyer.
The fact that the win was over Duke made it all the more special for Maynor.
"You know it," he said, flashing a wide smile.
ยท PITTSBURGH 79, WRIGHT STATE 58: The Panthers had been ousted in the first round seven times in 18 previous appearances in the NCAA tournament, but they used long-range shooting and considerable brawn against the Raiders (23-10).
Ronald Ramon hit four three-pointers and finished with 14 points for Pitt. Wright State's DaShaun Wood, the Horizon League player of the year, finished with 13 points.
