Feb. 11, 2006
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Nick George and Jesse Pela-Rosa each had 19 points and Virginia Commonwealth hit 9 of 11 free throws over the final 1:26 Saturday to hold off Old Dominion, 80-74.
Pela-Rosa scored 10 points during an 18-4 run in the first half as the Rams took a 22-11 lead with 9:05 remaining. The Monarchs pulled to within two when Alex Laughton's field goal made it 31-29. The Rams settled for a 38-32 halftime lead as Pela-Rosa matched his career high of 17 points in the first half.
The Rams (10-5, 16-7 Colonial Athletic Association) took a 50-37 lead with 15:06 remaining on Nick George's 3-pointer. The Monarchs cut the margin to 60-59 on Laughton's jumper with 6:33 remaining. Eric Maynor's followup started a 7-0 Rams run capped by George's 3-pointer that put the Rams ahead 67-59. Old Dominion could get no closer than four.ODU made it 74-70 with 1:01 left on Loughton's layup and 78-74 onDahi's layup with 13 seconds left.
B.A. Walker added 11 and Maynor a career-high 10 for the Rams.
The Monarchs (10-5, 17-8) were led by Arnaud Dahi's 21 points. Laughton added 19, and Isaiah Hunter added 15.Drew Williams added nine points with four assists and three steals.
ODU shot .431 from the floor, but .533 (16-30) in the second half. VCUoutrebounded the Monarchs by one, 32-31. Loughton led all rebounderswith nine for the game.The game drew a Siegel Center record attendance with 7,838, the second time this season the Rams have set an attendance high.
The Monarchs return to action on Wednesday night when they hostGeorgia State at 7 p.m. in the Constant Center.