CAA's Rams Best ACC's Devils
A Year After George Mason's Run, VCU Gets Into the Act, Beats Duke: VCU 79, Duke 77

By Eric Prisbell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 16, 2007

BUFFALO, March 15 -- Players danced, radio announcers high-fived and a rowdy contingent of fans chanted "CAA! CAA!" rekindling images of celebrations by another No. 11 seed from the Colonial Athletic Association, George Mason.

Virginia Commonwealth's last-second 79-77 victory over sixth-seeded Duke on Thursday gave the Rams their first NCAA tournament victory since 1985 and brought back some of the magic associated with a conference familiar with recent tournament upsets.

"We're not George Mason," VCU guard Eric Maynor said. "We're this year's VCU, though."

Maynor is authoring his own storybook month. The irrepressible guard took over the final minutes of Thursday's game, much as he owned the final moments of the CAA tournament final against George Mason.

Maynor said he could not have dreamed of a better scenario than making a 14-foot game-winning jumper with 1.8 seconds remaining to beat Duke, the tradition-rich school from his home state. Where does it rank?

"Number one in my life," said Maynor, who scored 22 points, including six of his team's last seven.

VCU (28-6) advanced to play third-seeded Pittsburgh (28-7) in a West Region second-round game here on Saturday. The Panthers defeated No. 14 seed Wright State, 79-58.

The Blue Devils (22-11) lost in the first round for the first time since 1996. They had won 67 NCAA tournament games since the Rams last won in the tournament.

"The fact that we've gone every year since 1996 is a story in itself," Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "If you're in the tournament long enough, you're going to go down in the first round or second. It's not our birthright to get in it. You have to earn it every year."

Coach Anthony Grant lifted two fists in the air afterward as he walked toward the VCU fans. His team had rallied from a 13-point first-half deficit and an 11-point second-half hole to beat Duke in the final seconds.

Duke had one final opportunity to go the length of the court to tie or win the game. The Blue Devils needed Christian Laettner, but he was in the stands, not on the floor.

Every time VCU faced adversity in the game, players touched a chain, symbolizing commitment, in the team huddle.

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.

· 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.