VCU Athletics-Men's Basketball

RAMS COME THROUGH IN CRUNCH TIME AGAIN WITH 55-54 OVERTIME WIN OVER N.C.-WILMINGTON
2-12-00
Box Score
Virginia Commonwealth recorded yet another nail-biting win on Saturday night as the Rams fought off a challenge from North Carolina-Wilmington and earned a 55-54 overtime victory in the ALLTEL Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. It was the sixth time in seven games this season the Rams won a game either by five points or less or in overtime and the fourth time Virginia Commonwealth has come out on top after trailing in either the final minute or in overtime.

Sophomore forward Shawn Hampton (Baltimore, Md.) was one of three Rams to finish in double figures, as he scored a game-high 16 points while also notching his fourth double-double of the season with 10 rebounds. Bo Jones (Richmond, Va.) added 12 points for Virginia Commonwealth while LaMar Taylor (Richmond, Va.) chipped in 10. Sophomore forward Reggie Okosa (Claymont, Del.) led all players with 13 rebounds to tie a career high. The Seahawks were paced by Brett Blizzard, who scored 14 points.

The two teams played tough defense the entire game. N.C.-Wilmington scored first, but the Rams quickly responded and would lead for the rest of thefirst half. Virginia Commonwealth appeared to be pulling away as it went on a 7-2 run midway through the first half to take a 22-15 lead. The Seahawks responded with six unanswered points and trailed by just one, 22-21, at the half.

In the second half, the Rams again built their lead, going up 32-24 with 14:59 to play after Taylor hit a three-pointer. N.C.-Wilmington would rally again, and took its first lead of the half when Victor Ebong hit a jumper to put the Seahawks up 39-38. The two teams traded the lead several times over the next few minutes, with N.C.-Wilmington leading for most of the final three minutes of the period. Trailing 50-48 with 18 seconds left, Taylor drew a foul and sunk both free throws to force the extra frame.

Neither team led by more than two points during the overtime period and the game's outcome hinged, just as it did in the final seconds of regulation, on the free-throw line. Hampton was fouled with just over five seconds remaining and hit the second of two free throws to give the Rams the victory.

Virginia Commonwealth is now 4-0 in overtime games this season, with all its wins coming at the ALLTEL Pavilion. The Rams now stand at 11-11 on the season and 4-7 in the Colonial Athletic Association, while the Seahawks fall to 12-10 overall and 6-6 in the conference. Virginia Commonwealth goes back on the road for its next contest, as the Rams travel to Fairfax, Va., to take on George Mason on Wednesday. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.

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