University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Xavier
Richmond Women Top Xavier, 61-56
02/07/2003 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 7, 2003
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Senior Ebony Tanner (Garner, N.C) scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Richmond to a 61-56 win over Xavier University. The Spiders improve to 15-6, 6-4 in the Atlantic 10 while Xavier falls to 14-7, 6-4 in the conference.
In addition to Tanner, three players scored in double-figures in the Spiders' victory. Sophomore Kate Flavin (Englewood, Colo.) recorded her ninth double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Amber Goppert (Malone, N.Y.) and Araceli Gil (Santa Barbara, Calif.) each contributed 11 for Richmond.
The Spiders opened the game strong, scoring seven unanswered points before Xavier got its first basket at the 16:49 mark. Tanner and Flavin combined to score 16 of Richmond's first 17 points as the Spiders held a 17-12 advantage with just under nine minutes remaining in the half. Xavier fought back and took their first lead of the game (24-23) off a lay-up from Tara Boothe with 2:41 on the clock. Gil scored eight points, including back-to-back three's, in the final minute and a half to give the Spiders a 33-26 halftime lead.
Richmond came out of the locker room with an 13-4 scoring run that put the score at 46-30 with 14:02 remaining. Xavier used two three-point baskets to cut the lead to single digits (8) with ten minutes left in the game. The Spiders hit a dry spell, going four minutes without a basket, and Xavier got within four points at the 4:36 mark. With 2:40 left, Reeta Piipari hit a trio of free throws to bring Xavier within three. With the Spiders holding a 59-56 advantage, the Musketeers had an opportunity to force overtime, but Goppert made the big steal in the game's closing seconds and set the final score at 61-56 with a pair of free throws.
The Spiders shot 49.1% from the field, while Xavier struggled the entire night, ending the game shooting 29.9%.
Richmond dished out 18 assists in comparison to the Musketeers' 10 but Xavier dominated the boards 43-36.
Richmond returns to action on Sunday, February 9, when they face University of Dayton at UD Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
