University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
East Carolina at St. Peter's Holiday Classic
Women's Basketball Defeats East Carolina, 78-65
12/29/2001 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2001
JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The University of Richmond women's basketball team defeated the East Carolina Pirates Saturday night, 78-65, in the opening round of the St. Peter's Holiday Classic in Jersey City, N.J. With the win, the Spiders evened their record to 6-6 on the season and advance to the tournament championship tomorrow night.
Richmond got off to a slow start, but a lay-up by junior center Ebony Tanner (Garner, N.C./Ravenscroft) at the 13:36 mark put the Spiders up 12-10. The Spiders would never relinquish this lead as they led by as much as 16 points in the first half on their way to holding a 38-24 advantage at the intermission. Senior point guard Michele Koclanes (Pelham, N.Y./Pelham Memorial) led Richmond with 12 at the break while freshman forward Kate Flavin (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek) chipped in with 10 points and five rebounds. Pressure defense helped Richmond to build its 14-point halftime advantage as the Spiders forced 14 Pirate turnovers and only turned the ball over five times themselves.
Richmond maintained a double-digit lead for the entire second half as it led by as much as 24 points, 74-50, with 5:15 to play. Sophomore center Stephanie Murray (Nepean, Ontario, Canada/St. Pius X) provided a spark off the bench for the Spiders in the second half as she scored seven points over a two-minute stretch to extend the Spiders' lead. Koclanes finished the game with a team-high 17 points and five assists while junior forward Cammy Desmond (Richmond, Va./James River) and Flavin also reached double-digits with 13 and 10, respectively. Tanner had a solid game as well with nine points and nine rebounds. For East Carolina (1-10), Courtney Willis scored a game-high 18 points.
Richmond will face the winner of the Coppin State/St. Peter's game tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in the tournament championship game.
