Game Story; Va. Commonwealth 65, JMU 52

Tuesday, January 16

Richmond, Va.

TBA

James Madison University

VCU

JAMES MADISON

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH

1/16/2001 11:20:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. (1/16/2001) – LaMar Taylor had six straight points during a 13-0 Virginia Commonwealth scoring burst to start the game, and he had six of his school-record-tying seven steals during the first 10 minutes to spark the Rams to a 65-52 victory over JMU.

Taylor's three layups off steals during a 53-second period gave Virginia Commonwealth a 10-0 lead with 17:07 left during the first half, and the Rams raised the margin to 13-0 four minutes into the game. They hit on six of their first eight shots while JMU was missing on its first four field goal attempts and committing seven turnovers.

JMU got to within 27-23 late during the first half, but VCU raised the margin to 33-25 by halftime and outscored the Dukes 10-1 to start the second half to lead 43-26 with 14:46 to play.

JMU didn't get its first points until the 15:42 mark of the first half, and the Dukes' first field goal of the second half came with 13:28 to play. The Dukes did get to within 45-37 with 9:05 remaining but then had only one field goal during the next seven minutes.

After his quick start, Taylor didn't score again during his 28 minutes until hitting on seven of eight free throws during the final 2:01 to seal the victory for the Rams. He finished with 13 points and a game-high eight assists in addition to his seven steals.

Willie Taylor, who scored VCU's first five points of the second half, led the Rams with 16 points, and Johnnie Story added 13 points and Bo Jones 10.

JMU got 18 points and eight rebounds from Tim Lyle, career highs of 11 points, four rebounds and five assists from Charlie Hatter, and nine points and eight rebounds from Ron Anderson. Lyle hit on eight of 13 shots in 39 minutes, and his 12 first-half points were instrumental in allowing JMU to get back into the game following its slow start.

The Dukes shot only 35.7 percent (20-56) and had 16 turnovers. They had a 37-34 rebounding edge.

VCU shot 44.9 percent (22-49) from the field and hit on 16 of 19 free throws.