University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
George Mason
The Spider Shoot Their Way Past George Mason, 71-55
12/01/2007 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Three different Richmond (5-4) players earned double-figures in the 71-55 victory over George Mason (3-3). Freshman Johanna McKnight and Katie Holzer put up 14 and 10 points respectively. Both McKnight and Holzer were one rebound short of earning a double-double, pulling down nine boards a piece. George Mason's Lateisha Wade led the Patriots with 17 points.
The freshman out of Camden, Del. Shells had led the Spiders in each of their three home games this season. She scored a career-high 27 points against Fairfield, 17 earlier in the week against Longwood and 18 in the win over George Mason.
"[At home] I think the fans get me fired up, and I feel the most comfortable on our court since we practice here everyday," Shells said. "I know the rim well and I am just more confident with my shot here."
The Spiders shot an impressive 50% from the floor, going 57.7% in the first half and 42.9% in the second. Shells shot 50% from both the floor and three-point line sinking two of her four shot from behind the arc. The freshmen, Shells and Rebecca Kretchman were the only two Spiders perfect from the free throw line, both making two of two.
"I felt like today, in reality, we played 36 minutes of very good basketball," head coach Michael Shafer said. "I thought we played unselfishly and moved the ball, again, where it needed to be to get kids wide-open shots."
George Mason shot 40% from the floor and 41.7% from the three-point line. Wade was the only Patriot in double-figures with 17 points, while both Brittany Poindexter and Rashauna Hobbs each contributed eight.
Up next, the Spiders travel to Richmond-rival VCU to face off against the Rams, Wednesday December 5 at 5 p.m. ET. Then to finish off the pre-holiday schedule, the Spiders host Albany December 19 for a 4:30 p.m. ET start.
"VCU is a city rival, we beat them last year, they beat us the year before," Shafer said. "They're very athletic, very good inside it's going to be a great challenge again. There's a lot of emotion involved so we're going to have to play without emotion in order to go in there and get the win."
