University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Basketball Season Review
04/03/2003 | Women's Basketball
April 3, 2003
Final Release in PDF Format
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A 20-plus win season. First-ever post-season victories. Rewriting the Richmond record books. Appearing in national polls.
The University of Richmond women's basketball team, under first-year head coach Joanne Boyle, returned to the national stage as the Spiders advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women's National Invitation Tournament. Appearing in post-season play for the first time in 13 years, Richmond finished the season with an 21-11 mark, its first 20-plus win season in 12 years.
In a competitive Atlantic 10 conference, the Spiders compiled a 9-7 mark as they placed third in the league's western division behind NCAA tournament participants George Washington and Xavier. Richmond recorded its first-ever win in the A-10 tournament with a 58-43 victory over St. Bonaventure in opening-round action.
Defeating Georgetown, Richmond earned its first-ever post-season win in the first round of the WNIT. The Spiders' success continued as they pulled out a 56-53 win over Saint Joseph's to advance to the tournament's quarterfinals where they suffered a season-ending loss at the hands of SEC-member Auburn.
The following notes highlight the accomplishments of the 2002-03 Richmond Spiders.
* The Spiders finished with a 21-11 mark, their best record in 12 years, and advanced to post-season play for the first time in 13 years, under first-year head coach Joanne Boyle. This was Richmond's first 20-plus win season since the 1990-91 squad finished 26-5.
* Participating in the 2003 Women's National Invitation Tournment, Richmond made its first post-season appearance in 12 years. The Spiders recorded their first-ever win in post-season action when they defeated Georgetown in first-round action. Richmond, making its best-ever post-season appearance, advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to Auburn.
* The Spiders compiled a 9-7 mark in Atlantic 10 action and finished third in the western division. Richmond earned its first-ever A-10 conference tournament win with its victory over St. Bonaventure in the opening round.
* Senior Ebony Tanner and sophomore Kate Flavin were selected to the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team, while freshman Araceli Gil was named to the All-Rookie Team. In addition, junior Amber Goppert was chosen for both the All-Atlantic 10 Third Team and the All-Defensive Team.
* Richmond set program records for defensive rebounds (826) and assists (573) in a single season. The previous records of 772 and 507, respectively, were both set during the 1990-91 season.
* Both Ebony Tanner and Amber Goppert scored their 1,000th career point this year, only the second time that two players have accomplished this feat in the same season. Tanner is only the fourth Spider to score more then 1,000 points and grab more than 500 rebounds.
