University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
GEORGE WASHINGTON
Women's Basketball Stopped By George Washington, 70-59
01/29/2006 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 29, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond women's basketball team dropped a 70-59 decision to Atlantic 10 foe George Washington on Sunday afternoon at the Robins Center. Despite cutting a 15-point deficit to an eight -point gap in the final minutes of the game, the Spiders were unable to stop the rival team who has topped them in every meeting since 1982. Senior center Amber Petillon paced the Spiders with 13 points and eight rebounds, while A-10 Rookie of the Week Sarah Williams tied her career-high 11 points and senior guard Saona Chapman added 11 points as the Spiders fell to 8-13 and 3-6 in the A-10.
The Spiders took a quick five-point lead after opening the contest with three consecutive three-pointers in the first two minutes. After George Washington's Jazmine Adair put the first two points on the board, Richmond's Amber Petillon each hit a basket, and Williams hit her third three of the contest to keep the Spiders in the game.
With the Colonials stealing an 18-17 lead with just over nine minutes remaining in the first half, both teams hit a dry spell and would not put any points on the board for almost four minutes. However, once George Washington's Jessica Adair laid one up to kill the drought, the Colonials soared off with a nine-point lead with just under two minutes left in the half and then went into halftime with a 32-25 advantage.
Up by seven at the half, the Colonials came out strong in the second half and soared away with an 11-point lead at the 16 minute mark, and then took a 13-point lead, a lead they saw four more times within the next six minutes, with less than 15 minutes remaining. Both teams then hit a four-minute drought, before Richmond's Petillon would drive and add two points for the Spiders. Chapman then turned around and contributed three baskets to the Spiders' efforts; however, the Colonials took off and saw their largest lead of the game (15 points) at the 4:58 mark.
Richmond's Petillon hit back-to-back free throws and a basket to close the gap to a nine-point game with three minutes left of play. Mirna Mazic then made a big steal on the Colonials inbounds' play in the last 2:30 to give the Spiders an additional chance; however, they were unable to capitalize on the extra possession. Williams then stole the ball for a pass to Chapman, who then drove in for a foul and sunk both free throws.
After an exciting battle at the Spiders' offensive end, Chapman nailed a three-pointer to close the game to an eight-point gap with 0:56 left on the clock. George Washington took advantage of the Spiders' fouling effort and sunk four free throw attempts that Richmond's Mazic and Gil each answered with a basket to keep it to an eight-point game with 0:28 remaining.
Despite the Spiders' strong and intense defense in the final minutes of the game, they were unable to close the gap that they had let slip just out of reach and they ended the game down 70-59.
While Petillon, Williams, and Chapman each added double-figures, Grabias contributed nine points, Gil scored seven points, and Mazic added six points to the Spiders' efforts.
Three Colonials notched in double-figures as George Washington improved to 14-5 overall, 7-1 in the conference, and 14-4 in the Richmond-George Washington series. Kimberly Beck led all scorers with 17 points, while Jessica Adair followed with 14 points, Kenan Cole added 12 points, and Whitney Allen was one point and one rebound shy of a double-double (nine points and nine rebounds).
Richmond head coach Michael Shafer attributes the loss to mistakes in the first half. "I was proud of the way we finished - scrambling around, tipping and grabbing balls," stated Shafer. "We played just about an even game in the second half; they were just able to take advantage of the lead they gained in the first half and they ran with it while we tried to play catch-up. I'm glad that we get another go at them (Feb. 19).
The Spiders will now enjoy a few days off before traveling to Philadelphia, Pa. for a match-up with No. 17 Temple on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.
