University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Xavier
Women's Basketball Powers Past Xavier, 93-73
01/20/2002 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 20, 2002
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond women's basketball team defeated the Xavier Musketeers, 93-73, Sunday afternoon at the Robins Center. The Spiders abandoned thier recent slow starts and jumped out early on the visitors as Richmond never trailed after the first five minutes of the contest. Junior center Ebony Tanner (Garner, N.C./Ravenscroft) and freshman forward Kate Flavin (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek) dominated on the inside as Tanner converted her first eight shots on her way to a career-high 22 points and Flavin pulled down a career-best 16 rebounds as she posted her second double-double of the season.
Tanner scored six points during an 8-0 Spider run that increased their lead to 17-8 at the 13:10 mark. Sophomore guard Amber Goppert (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) helped set an aggressive tone early as she consistently took the ball strong to the basket for point-blank shots that enabled Richmond to make 10 of its first 15 field goal attempts. The Spiders would then use a 13-4 run to take a 37-23 lead, their largest of the first half, at the 4:58 mark. Junior forward Krystn Gull (Asheville, N.C./Erwin) scored seven points over that span and finished the half with 10. Tanner (16) and Goppert (13) also finished the first half in double-digits while Flavin had seven boards and senior point guard Michele Koclanes (Pelham, N.Y./Pelham Memorial) had eight assists as Richmond headed into the locker room with a 46-36 lead. Xavier stayed within striking distance as they sank 8-of-17 from beyond the arc, led by junior guard Amy Waugh's four three-pointers (15 points).
Richmond extended its lead in the second half as the Spiders opened with a 21-6 run to lead 67-42 with 13:34 to play. The run culminated with a steal by junior guard Elise Ryder (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade Julienne) who led the fast break and fed a beautiful bounce pass to Koclanes who converted and was fouled for the three-point play. Ryder finished the game with a career-high seven assists. Gull then punctuated the 15-point swing with a three-pointer to put the game out of reach as Richmond would lead by as many as 30 on its way to the 93-73 victory.
Both Flavin (10 points, 16 rebounds) and Koclanes (13 points, 10 assists) finished the game with double-doubles. Tanner just missed as she finished with 22 points and nine rebounds while Goppert finished with 17 points and a career-best nine rebounds, seven of which were on the offensive end. Gull ended the contest with a season-high 22 points. It was only the fifth time the Spiders outrebounded an opponent this season (57-38) as all 12 Spiders had at least one board. Xavier was led by Waugh's 24 points and nine assists and the double-double of sophomore forward Kate Kreager (20 points, 11 rebounds). The Musketeers attempted 34 three-pointers (making 11), the second-most ever in an Atlantic 10 contest.
The victory improves Richmond to 8-11, 2-4 in the Atlantic 10. Xavier also goes to 2-4 in the league, 7-11 overall. The Spiders return to action Friday, January 25, at 7:00 p.m. as they travel to Philadelphia to face La Salle in an Atlantic 10 western division match-up.
