RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Freshman Terry Larrier scored 15 points and No. 14 VCU pulled away with a 16-2 run early in the second half to beat George Washington 72-48 on Tuesday night for its 12th consecutive victory.
Larrier's point total was his highest since conference play began for the Rams (17-3, 7-0 Atlantic 10), and it came on a night when VCU scoring leader Treveon Graham managed just seven points on a still-tender left ankle and struggling Melvin Johnson continued to do so, scoring eight on 4 of 10 shooting.
Kethan Savage scored 18 to lead George Washington (16-5, 6-2) and Joe McDonald had 11.
The Colonials went behind for good when VCU scored 12 of the last 14 points of the first half to lead 29-21 at the intermission. After George Washington used a 6-2 burst to get within 31-27 early in the second half, the Rams turned up their defensive pressure and turned the contest into a runaway.
The game was the Rams' first at home in 17 days, and once their pressure started getting to the Colonials, leading to runout baskets and a fast-growing lead, the outcome was quickly determined.
The Colonials' inability to make shots from close range also was a huge factor. They made just one field goal in the final 10:50 of the first half, and were 2 for 21 until the game's final minutes.
VCU, meantime, pulled ahead getting points from almost everybody.
Mo Alie-Cox, who finished with 10 points and eight rebounds, scored their first basket after halftime, and after two free throws by Savage, Graham, Justin Tillman, Larrier, JeQuan Lewis, Briante Weber and Johnson also contributed as the run whipped the crowd into a welcome back frenzy.
The game was a back-and-forth affair until late in the first half.
Trailing 19-17, the Rams tied it on a layup by Lewis, sparking a 12-2 run to end the half. Six of the points came from Larrier, and the last four from Alie-Cox on an inside basket and two free throws.
The Colonials managed just five points after Yuta Watanabe's layup with 10:51 left in the half.
TIP-INS:
George Washington: The Colonials made 12 3-pointers in their previous game, a 74-59 victory against Duquesne. It was the most 3s they have made in a game since November 2008.
VCU: The latest RPI rating from the NCAA list VCU's non-conference schedule as the toughest in the nation and its ovberal schedule as the second-toughest, trailing only Kansas.
UP NEXT:
George Washington: plays at Rhode Island on Saturday.
VCU: hosts city and A-10 rival Richmond in the first of two meetings Saturday.
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