University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
La Salle
Men's Basketball Bounces La Salle In Season Finale, 75-62
03/08/2003 | Men's Basketball
March 8, 2003
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UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond sophomore Jamaal Scott scored a season-high 22 points to help the Spiders capture a 75-62 win against La Salle in the 2003 regular-season finale, before 6,132 fans in the Robins Center.
Although Scott was joined by juniors Mike Skrocki (12) and Tony Dobbins (11) and sophomore Patrick O'Malley (11) in double figures, this night belonged to Spider seniors Jeff Myers and Johnathan Collins.
Myers, starting his 50th consecutive contest, scored eight points and dished six assists. His three-pointer at 6:51 of the second half, opened up a tight game to a five-point lead (55-50). That triple moved Myers into a tie for sixth with Curtis Blair for career three-pointers (141). His last assist moved him into 10th-place all-time with 306 helpers.
Collins scored five points and grabbed six rebounds. His major contribution, as it so often has been during his career, was on the defensive side. Collins blocked three La Salle shots, including two consecutive with less than 90 seconds remaining, to seal the win. He now has 127 career blocks, eight shy of second place all-time.
The Spiders (15-12, 10-6 A-10) held a three-point lead (26-23) at halftime, but shot 66.7 percent (16-of-24) in the second half to outscore the Explorers, 49-39. Richmond opened a 10-point lead, 37-27, when Scott converted a lay-up of a pass from Myers at 15:22.
La Salle (11-16, 6-10 A-10) fought back and forced two ties, including a 50-50 knot at 8:15. Freshman Gary Neal netted a team-high 21 points, 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Richmond responded with a 14-4 run to take command of the game.
The Spiders return to action in the 2003 Atlantic 10 Tournament. Richmond, the West Division's third-seed, will play East Division No. 2 Temple, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 13 in Dayton, Ohio.
