NEW ORLEANS (AP) -Larry Sanders scored 16 points as Virginia Commonwealth held off Tulane 78-77 on Saturday despite losing nearly all of a 17-point second-half lead.

Kris Richard scored 10 points and Kevin Sims nine during a 30-14 run that enabled the Green Wave (3-7) to cut a 62-45 deficit to 76-75 with 1:14 left.

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After Richard missed a jumper that could have given Tulane the lead, Sanders grabbed the rebound and Joey Rodriguez's layup with 14 seconds left gave the Rams (7-2) a three-point lead, 78-75.

Sims' two free throws with 5 seconds left gave Tulane its final points.

Sanders scored six points in the first 3:11 of the second half, when VCU turned a 39-32 halftime lead into a 53-38 advantage.

Aaron Holmes' 18 points led the scoring for Tulane. Richard finished with 16, and Sims had 15 points and six assists.