University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Duquesne
Spiders Open A-10 With Win Against Duquesne, 69-66
01/03/2004 | Men's Basketball
Jan 3, 2004
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -- Trailing by four with 54 seconds remaining, senior Tony Dobbins drained a triple from the top of the key to bring Richmond within one, 63-62, and then stole the in-bounds pass to set up a Mike Skrocki three that propelled the Spiders to a 69-66 win in the Atlantic 10 opener against Duquesne at the Robins Center.
Skrocki, who scored a game-high 24 points, netted 17 in the second half, including two clutch free throws with 11 seconds remaining that pushed the lead to three points before Dobbins stole the ball from Duquesne point guard Bryant McAllister to seal the victory.
The Dukes (4-7, 0-1 A-10) went on a 10-0 run near the end of the second half to lead by 10 but Skrocki threw back a tip in at the buzzer to bring Richmond (7-5, 1-0 A-10) within six, 28-22, at the break.
Duquesne opened a 15-point, second-half lead (40-25) when Jack Higgins drained a three at the 16:33 mark. The Spiders fought back over the next few minutes and closed within two (52-50) on Dobbins' first three pointer of the night at the 6:59 mark. Dobbins recorded his second consecutive double-double - 20 points, 12 rebounds - and fourth of the season.
After the visitors ballooned the lead to four points through the next three minutes the Skrocki/Dobbins heroics began. After Richmond led 67-63, Jimmy Tricco drained a three from in front of their bench but the Skrocki free throws sealed the win.
The Spiders return to action at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6 against top-10 ranked Saint Joseph's in the Robins Center.
