University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
RHODE ISLAND
Women's Basketball Overpowers Rhode Island, 77-54
02/10/2006 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 10, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond women's basketball team earned its fifth-straight victory over the Rhode Island Rams Friday night at the Robins Center. Four Spiders reached double figures in the 77-54 win with freshman Sarah Williams and senior guard Araceli Gil leading the way with 15 points each as the Spiders improved to 9-14 overall and 4-7 in Atlantic 10 play.
Seniors Amber Petillon, Alison Mitchell, Ania Grabias and Gil contributed early for the Spiders, jumping out to an 11-4 lead in the first five minutes. Gil and Williams each followed with treys to run the Spiders' advantage to nine points, but by the eight minute mark, the Rams had narrowed down the Spiders' lead to just five. Williams then gave the Spiders a spark with nine-straight points, including a free throw, lay-up, and a pair of threes, to give the Spiders a 12-point lead.
Gil and Mitchell both concluded the first half in double figures as the Spiders maintained a 41-30 lead. Williams added 12 points after hitting three of four three-point attempts, while Mitchell made four of her five field goal attempts to give her 11 first-half points.
Following baskets by Petillon, Whitney Morrow, and treys by Gil and Saona Chapman, the Spiders took a 17-point lead in the first five and a half minutes of second half action. With under 10 minutes left in the game, the Spiders ran off to a 21-point advantage following free throws by Mitchell and four consecutive points by Gil. The Rams then pulled out a three in an effort to close the gap, but Mirna Mazic answered with a three-pointer of her own.
The Spiders then took a 22-point lead after a combo of baskets by Morrow and Petillon. Rhode Island hit a basket and a pair of free throws to cut the gap to 17, but Williams and Gil hit their fourth and third threes of the game, respectively, to secure a 77-54 victory.
Williams and Gil ended the game leading all scorers with 15 points, with Williams recording her fifth double-digit game in the past six contests and Gil notching her 10th double-figure performance of the season. Gil shot 3-4 from the three-point line and Williams earned a career-high 15 points with a career-high four three-pointers (4-6 from the three-point line). Also in double figures for the Spiders was Mitchell, who added 13 points after hitting 5-6 from the foul line and 4-6 from the field, as well as Petillon, who notched 11 points after shooting 5-6 from the free throw line. Petillon and Mitchell each grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, while Chapman dished out seven assists and grabbed six rebounds.
Just two Rams reached double figures as they fell to 6-16 overall and 3-8 in A-10 action. Amanda McGrew led URI with 11 points, followed by Whitney Hollis with 10 points. Tanya Rhodes dominated the boards as she grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.
Richmond head coach Michael Shafer was extremely pleased with his team's efforts and the outcome of the contest. "We played very well," stated Shafer. "We came out alive on both ends of the court; we executed well and defended pretty well."
The Spiders continue their home stand on Sunday when they host the Temple Owls at 2:00 p.m. at the Robins Center. The game highlights Alumni Weekend for the women's basketball program, as many former Spider players will return to campus for a reunion.
