Feb. 17, 2008
RICHMOND, VA--Seniors Brian Henderson and BrandonJohnson accounted for ODU's final eight points inthe last 1:59 of the game to lead ODU to a come-from-behind, 67-66 victory over CAA archrivalVCU Saturday night on ESPN2. This was the Monarchs first ever win in the Siegel Center andthird straight win overall.
VCU took a six point lead (63-57) with 2:10 left in the game as itlooked like the Rams were going to beat ODU for the ninth straight timein the city of Richmond. But the ODU seniors had a different idea.
Brian Henderson, a native of Richmond cames back and hits a jumper to makeit 63-59 with 1:59 to go. After a VCU miss, Henderson hits a treyas the shot clock is winding down to cut the lead to one at 63-62.
Brandon Johnson gets a steal and is fouled. Johnson calmly hits bothto put ODU up, 64-63 with 1:05 left. After another VCU turnover,Brian Henderson nails another trey to give the Monarchs a 67-63 leadwith just 16 seconds left. VCU's Jamal Shuler hits a three to cutthe lead to one at 67-66. VCU fouled freshman Darius James and hemissed both free throws with seven seconds left.
Maynor tries to take it to the basket, but is stripped by Brandon Johsonand the Monarchs win their straight game of the season and first everin VCU's Siegel Center.
For Johnson, it was his third steal of the game which now gives him222 career steals. He ranks second all-time at ODU and seventh all-timein CAA history. Johnson scored 14 points and hauled down five rebounds.Brian Henderson led ODU with 20 points, 18 coming in the second half.
ODU shot .473 from the floor (26-55), while VCU was held to .390 (23-59).ODU also outrebounded the Rams, 38-32 as freshman Ben Finney led withsix boards, followed by Gerald Lee and Frank Hassell with five each.ODU committed only 11 turnovers on the night.
VCU was led by Eric Maynor with 25 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Jamal Shuler scored 19.
ODU travels to James Madison for a 7 p.m. contest Wednesday nightin Harrisonburg, VA. The contest will be televised by WKSY4 inHampton Roads.