University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Nc Wilmington
Spiders Snap Three-Game Skid, Sneak Past UNC Wilmington, 66-59
01/27/2001 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2001
WILMINGTON, N.C. - Richmond junior point guard Michele Koclanes (Pelham, N.Y./Pelham Memorial) posted a game-high 15 points and dished off a team-best six assists to pace the Spiders to a 66-59 victory at UNC Wilmington in Colonial Athletic Association action today at Trask Coliseum.
Sophomore center Ebony Tanner (Garner, N.C./Ravenscroft) produced a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double and sophomore guard Elise Ryder (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade Julienne) added 12 points which all came from three-point territory. Spider senior forward Carolyn Constantakis (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Catholic) tied for game-high rebounding honors, snaring 11 rebounds to go along with eight points.
The Seahawks (7-8, 0-5 CAA) were led by a pair of freshmen as Donta Davis and Tracy Morgan registered 12 points each, while junior forward Vickey Harper and newcomer Monica Rozelle added 10 points.
Richmond (10-8, 4-2 CAA) owned a four-point lead at intermission, with Ryder closing the half by draining four consecutive treys to pace all scorers with 12 points. The Spiders defense - strengthening as the game proceeded - held UNC Wilmington to 36.4 percent shooting from the field in the opening 20 minutes. Harper delivered all of her 10 points in the first half to lead the Seahawks.
In a second half that featured seven ties, UNC Wilmington caught the Spiders at 39 and neither team led by more than four points until the closing minute. A Rozelle free throw put the Seahawks ahead, 49-45 before Tanner stepped up with a block and back-to-back baskets to knot the contest at 49-all with 9:11 remaining. The two teams were tied at 51 and again at 54, but Davis connected on a three-pointer from the baseline to make it 57-55 with 3:42 to go. The Spiders responded by scoring six unanswered points, including a big Koclanes three-pointer to put Richmond ahead 59-57 at the 3:49 mark.
UNC Wilmington closed the margin to 61-59, but senior forward Candice Edwards (Newport News, Va./Menchville) answered with a short jumper on the baseline to give the Spiders a 63-59 advantage to all but decide the issue with :50 remaining. Richmond's defense tightened and held the Seahawks without a field goal over the final 2:00 of the contest.
As has been the case for much of the season, rebounding and defense were instrumental to Richmond's success as they pressured UNC Wilmington into 20 turnovers, including 12 in the second half and won the rebounding battle, 43-39.
Richmond, which snapped a three-game losing skid with today's victory, returns to action on Thursday, January 25, hosting The College of William & Mary at 7 p.m. at the Robins Center.
