University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
LONGWOOD
Men's Basketball Downs Longwood, 74-60
01/02/2006 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Seniors Jermaine Bucknor and Kevin Steenberge scored 17 points apiece and Richmond scored a season-high for points in a 74-60 victory over Longwood on Monday in the Robins Center.
Richmond scored a season-high 42 points in the paint and hit seven 3-pointers to lead by as many as 17 points on the way to its seventh victory of the season.
"This team pressured us a lot and we had all the backdoor cuts and backdoor shots we wanted," Bucknor said. "Once you get a couple of those it makes it easier to come off a screen and get a 3."
And Bucknor hit three of his five attempts from behind the arc, the second-straight game that he has hit three treys. Giddings made 2-of-3 shots from behind the 3-point arc, both coming in the opening minutes of the second half.
The Spiders, who are 7-6, have the most victories entering conference play since joining the Atlantic 10 for the 2001-02 season.
"I thought we played fairly well," Richmond first-year head coach Chris Mooney said. "For the most part we were able to get easy shots and were able to finally plull away in the second half."
Junior Monty Sanders and freshman Duncan McLean each handed out two assists.
"Everybody is concerned with our guard play," Mooney said. "Our guard play is pretty good and it keeps getting better."
Richmond opened up a 28-14 lead in the first half, but Longwood closed the gap to 35-29 by the break. The Spiders then opened the second half on a 14-6 run and didn't allow the lead to go below double-digits the rest of the way.
"They shot 7-of-13 on 3-pointers and hit four in the first four minutes of the second half," Longwood coach Mike Gillian said. "We felt like we were in a good position at the half. Part of the game plan was to make some of their guys who were shooting low percentage to shoot some jump shots. They just mad them, they deserve credit."
Bucknor and Giddings each hit two 3-pointers in the first 3:17 of the second half and junior Peter Thomas added a lay-up to give Richmond a 49-35 lead with 15:57 to play.
The Spiders made a season-high 30 field goals and shot a season-best 57.7 percent from the field and season-best 53.8 percent from 3.
"Scoring more points today helps our offensive confidence," Thomas said. "We know we could have played better defensively than we did today, but we have to take the confidence we got today in our offense."
Richmond's defense gave up 60 points for just the second time this season, but have still held 12 of 13 opponents to 60 points or less. No team has scored 65 points against the Spiders, who lead the nation in fewest points allowed per game (52.5 ppg).
"Our defense wasn't nearly as good as it has been," Mooney said. "The offenes was certainly better, but we could have done even better."
Maurice Sumpter led Longwood with 16 points. Bryan Butler added 13 and Dana Smith 11.
Richmond finished the non-conference schedule 7-6 and will open Atlantic 10 play on Saturday when the Spiders host La Salle at 7 p.m. in the Robins Center.
"I hope we use this as a springboard going into league play," Mooney said. "We're pleased to gt the win and pleased to win by 14, but I think we could have played even better."
