University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
UAB
Bucknor Impressive in Victory Over UAB, 96-81
12/17/2004 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 17, 2004
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - A career-high 22 points from junior Jermaine Bucknor led five Spiders in double figures as Richmond defeated UAB, an NCAA Sweet Sixteen participant last March, 96-81 at the Robins Center on Friday night.
The Spiders shot 68.8 percent in a decisive second half when Richmond outscored the visitors 59-42. Richmond's 59 second-half points was the most since scoring 60 in the second half on Nov. 17, 2000 in a 97-62 win against Radford. The Spiders' 96 points is the most since that same game.
In addition to Bucknor's 22 on 8-for-14 shooting, sophomore Daon Merritt missed his career high by one point with 20, 16 in the second half. The combo tied with a team-high five assists.
A see-saw first half saw the Blazers take a seven-point lead (15-8) on a Ronell Taylor jumper at 14:01 before the Spiders grabbed the momentum to take an eight-point lead (31-23) on a triple from Bucknor at the 5:16 mark. Bucknor was 5-for-9 from behind the arc on the night.
UAB scrapped back and took the lead (39-37) on a three-pointer from Marvett McDonald with just one second remaining in the half. Ronell Taylor scored 15 of his 18 in the first 20 minutes.
Richmond opened the second half on a 15-5 run that gave them an eight-point lead (52-44) at 16:25 when Patrick O'Malley knocked down a jumper. The senior scored 13 on the strength of three treys.
After UAB retook the lead with a 14-5 run capped by a layup from Ernest Little, Richmond gained control with a solid press break that lead to numerous layups.
Senior Jamaal Scott scored nine of his 13 in the second stanza, reaching double figures for the third straight game.
The Blazers' Demario Eddins snagged a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Jamaal Scott (13) and junior Kevin Steenberge (10) were the other Spiders in double figures.
Richmond returns to action at Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Dec. 23. The espn2 broadcast will tip-off at 7 p.m.
NOTES: The first time Richmond had two players with 20+ since Jan. 3, 2004, a 69-66 win against Duquesne (Mike Skrocki 24, Tony Dobbins 20) ... The Spiders committed just 12 turnovers, while the Blazers were forcing 21.8 coming into the game ... It was the second time Richmond had five players in double figures (Wake Forest) ... The Spiders' 10 three-pointers was a season high -- one game after not making one at VCU ... Richmond is now 3-2 against the Blazers ... The Spiders have won six straight in the Robins Center ... Richmond finished the regular-season 3-0 on Friday nights.
