University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Basketball Hosts Harvard This Sunday
12/08/2005 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 8, 2005
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond women's basketball team will face the Harvard Crimson for the first time ever this Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2:00 p.m. in the Robins Center. In the midst of a series of three consecutive home games, the Spiders are looking to overcome their three-game downslide as they take on the former Ivy League Champions.
The Spiders, now 1-1 at home, just lost their first home game since Feb. 13, 2005 last Sunday when they played the undefeated Virginia Tech Hokies to a 54-47 deficit in an intense back-and-forth game at the Robins Center where Tech pulled away in the final four minutes. Senior guard Saona Chapman paced the Spiders with 16 points, as sophomore forward Mirna Mazic added 12 points to the board. While Chapman and Mazic led the Spiders in scoring, senior guard Ania Grabias recorded a career high nine rebounds, senior guard Araceli Gil added seven assists, and Chapman earned a season high five steals.
Currently leading the Spiders is Chapman (12.6 ppg), who has reached double figures in five games this season, junior forward Christina Campion (11.3 ppg), who has scored in double figures in four games, and Mazic (10.1), who recorded two double-doubles in the past four games. The Spiders will once again have to proceed without their second leading scorer and rebounder Campion, who stepped out of the Spider line-up last week due to a back injury.
The Crimson, who is on a 2-4 run, is led by senior forward Maureen McCaffery (12.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg), senior guard Laura Robinson (10.0 ppg), and Jessica Holsey (9.6 ppg). The Crimson is returning two of their starters from last year's squad that finished 20-8 overall and tied for first in the Ivy League with a 12-3 record.
Both the Spiders and the Crimson are looking to put an end to their three-game slide on Sunday afternoon as neither team has won a game this season since before Thanksgiving. The Spiders have not tasted victory since their 61-55 win at UC-Santa Barbara on Nov. 23, and the Crimson have not been successful since their 77-48 victory over Rhode Island on Nov. 22.
Live coverage is available at www.RichmondSpiders.com.
Following Sunday's contest, the Spiders will host the Virginia Cavaliers next Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Robins Center.
