Women's Basketball Falls To Dayton, 61-59

Sunday, February 9

Dayton, Ohio

2:00 PM

University of Richmond

Dayton

02/09/2003 | Women's Basketball

By: Richmond Athletics

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Richmond women's basketball team suffered a 61-59 loss to University of Dayton in Atlantic 10 basketball action on Sunday afternoon at UD Arena. The Spiders had possession of the ball in the game's final 17 seconds, but were unable to score as they missed a shot with three seconds on the clock. Richmond falls to 15-7, 6-5 in conference play, while Dayton improves to 13-9, 6-5 in A-10 action.

Junior Amber Goppert (Malone, N.Y.) led the Spiders with 20 points and seven rebounds. In her hometown return, senior Elise Ryder (Dayton, Ohio) scored 12 points with a 4-of-8 performance from behind the arc. Ebony Tanner (Garner, N.C) contributed 10 points and Kate Flavin (Englewood, Colo.) grabbed ten rebounds.

The Spiders took a quick 4-0 advantage in the opening minute of action but Dayton gained their own four-point lead with at the 16:33 mark. The teams exchanged leads throughout the following 12 minutes and the half's fifth and final tie (26-26) was reached with just over four minutes remaining. The Flyers used a 9-4 scoring run to close the period and set the halftime score at 35-30.

In second half action, the Spiders cut the deficit to two (38-36) with 15:29 left, before Dayton held the Spiders scoreless for four minutes and built an 11-point advantage, the game's first double-digit lead. The Flyers missed their next six of seven shots and Richmond reduced the lead to five off two free throws from Goppert at the 7:08 point. Dayton held onto a 5+ point advantage until Ryder hit her fourth three-point basket of the night to bring the Spiders within four with just over a minute remaining. With :22 seconds on the clock, Goppert hit a lay-up to set the score at 61-59. After the Dayton timeout, a quick Richmond foul sent Sara Allen to the free throw line for the one and one opportunity. She missed the front end of the bonus and Flavin secured the rebound for the Spiders with :17 seconds remaining in the game. Richmond had a chance to tie the game but Goppert's shot attempt fell short as the Flyers held onto the 61-59 victory.

Sarah Schloss led the Flyers with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Richmond outrebounded the Flyers 36-34. However, Dayton was able to capitalize on the Spiders mistakes, scoring 14 points off Richmond's 15 turnovers.

Richmond is back on the court on Thursday, February 13, when they host Duquesne University at 7:00 p.m. at the Robins Center.