By Chris Kowalczyk

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – On Wednesday afternoon, VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart was wondering who would fill Brandon Rozzell's shoes. By the time 9:00 p.m. rolled around, he looked like a man who might've found an answer.

Freshman Rob Brandenberg scored a career-high 22 points Wednesday night, 19 of them in the second half, to lead the Rams to a convincing, 70-52 road victory over William & Mary.

"He's pretty good," Tribe Head Coach Tony Shaver said modestly after the game. "That a sign of a good basketball team."

Rozzell, VCU's sixth man and third-leading scorer, broke his shooting hand during Tuesday's practice when he collided with a teammate. Smart said he told his players before Wednesday's game that they'd have to step up to fill the void. Apparently, Brandenberg heard the message loud and clear.

Displaying impressive athleticism and a repertoire of long-range shots, drives and pull-up jumpers, Brandenberg helped the Rams stave off comeback-minded William & Mary (4-12, 0-5 CAA).

VCU (12-5, 4-1 CAA) led 29-20 at the half, but the Tribe pulled within 35-32 with 15:51 left in the second on a layup by Quinn McDowell. Coming out of a timeout, Brandenberg led a 12-2 burst with 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. The Tribe never got within eight the rest of the way. Later in the half, Brandenberg scored eight straight points to drive the final nail in William & Mary's coffin.

"When the injury happened, the only guy I felt really bad for was Brandon," Smart said. "I told the guys that they need to step up, no excuses. We're not going to sit around and feel sorry for ourselves."

If you squinted, you could have convinced yourself it was really Rozzell out there instead of Brandenberg.

"Rob did a really good Brandon Rozzell impersonation," Smart joked.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/mbkb/...0112vu78qa


VCU@W&M VIDEO
http://www.vcuramnation.com/2011/01/vide...liam-mary/