University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond Battles Back, Downs Drexel 73-60
12/23/2008 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2008
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -
Sophomore Brittani Shells scored a career-high 30 points en route to the Spiders' tenth victory of the season. The 10-1 start is Richmond's best since the 2004-05 season.
Richmond trailed 33-27 at the half, and was paced by Shells' nine points. The six-point deficit is only the second time this season Richmond has trailed at the break.
Defensively, we were a letdown in the first half," said head coach Michael Shafer. "We needed more intensity in the second half."
Richmond and Drexel traded baskets until senior Johanna McKnight's three-pointer at the 10:40 mark gave Richmond a 49-47 advantage. The Spiders would never lose the lead again, and went on to score 13 unanswered points in the last four minutes of play.
"We didn't want to lose," said Shells. "We didn't want to end the break with a loss."
Shells' 30 points bested her previous career-best, a 27 point-performance last November. McKnight chipped in with 14 points and three steals. Freshman Abby Oliver scored a career-best 11 points in 27 minutes.
"We attacked their zone in the second half, which allowed more players to be open for easy baskets," said Oliver.
Richmond returns to action in the Crimson Tide Holiday Classic. Richmond faces Ball State in the first round. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.
