University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Rhode Island
Women's Basketball Edged By Rhode Island, 83-77
01/11/2002 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 11, 2002
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond women's basketball team could not overcome a sloppy first half as it fell to Rhode Island Friday night at the Robins Center, 83-77, in the team's first home Atlantic 10 contest. Four Spiders scored in double-figures as the team shot well from the field, but turnovers limited its field goal attempts.
The Spiders jumped out to an early 9-5 lead as their first three baskets were three-pointers, one each by junior forward Krystn Gull (Asheville, N.C,/Erwin), junior forward Cammy Desmond (Midlothian, Va./James River), and junior guard Elise Ryder (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade Julienne). Richmond turnovers would get the Rams back in the game as the visitors went on a 9-0 run midway through the first half to take a 27-14 lead at the 7:39 mark, a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way. The largest deficit of the half was 13 points, but the Spiders drew within 38-33 at the intermission thanks to knocking down 5-of-7 three-pointers, including 3-of-3 from Ryder. The Spiders and Rams each shot well from the floor, with Richmond shooting 57.1% and Rhode Island connecting on 51.9% of its shots, but 20 Spider and 13 Ram turnovers limited scoring opportunities.
In the second half, Richmond narrowed the margin to two at the 15:04 mark on a lay-up from junior center Ebony Tanner (Garner, N.C./Ravenscroft), who finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. The Spiders would draw within two or three points on nine other occasions the rest of the way, but every time they did, the Rams answered with a basket of their own. Rhode Island sealed the game from the free throw line in the second half as the Rams connected on 16-of-16 attempts. The Spiders shot 55.1% from the floor for the game as Ryder led the way with 15 points and career-high tying six assists. Sophomore guard Amber Goppert (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) and senior point guard Michele Koclanes (Pelham, N.Y./Pelham Memorial) also finished in double-digits with 13 and 12, respectively. The Rams had five players reach double-digits, including 16 apiece by senior center Vedrana Bajagic (also a game-high eight rebounds) and junior guards Hilary Goodrich and Dragana Banjac (career-high). Rhode Island senior guard Neda Djuric finished with 10 points and a game-high eight assists.
The loss is Richmond's fourth straight as the Spiders fall to 0-3 in the Atlantic 10, 6-10 overall, while the Rams snap a five-game losing streak and get their first Atlantic 10 win of the season and improve to 7-6, 1-2.
Richmond returns to action this Sunday, January 13 at noon as the Spiders host Massachusetts. The game marks Richmond's debut on the Atlantic 10 Television Network as the telecast will be carried live by NESN and Fox SportsNet Ohio. It will be available on a same day, delay tape basis in the Richmond and Mid-Atlantic region on Comcast SportsNet D.C. (D.C., Del., Md., N.C., Va.). Air time is 3pm Sunday.
