University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
USA Toulogues Perpignan
Spiders Win European Opener, 101-78
08/15/2008 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 14, 2008
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PERPIGNAN, France - Redshirt freshman Conor Smith made 6-of-8 three-pointers for a team-high 18 points and sophomore Justin Harper had 17 as the Richmond men's basketball team won its first game of its European summer trip 101-78 over USA Toulogues Perpignan on Thursday night.
The Spiders had six players score in double-figures and all but one of the 11 players dressed register points on the scoreboard.
"I thought we played well," Richmond head coach Chris Mooney said. "I think there are some things that we can do better and improve on, but to come over here and play against a good team and play as well as we did, I'm very pleased.
Smith missed his first three-point attempt before making six-straight, including one to beat the 24-second shot clock. He finished the game making 6-of-9 of his shots from the field.
"Conor Smith was able to come in the game, make shots and play good defense," Mooney said.
Harper opened the second half with seven-straight points and grabbed six rebounds to go with his 17 points.
Redshirt freshman Josh Duinker drew a lot of contact from the Second Division professional team from France, making 9-of-11 free throws on his way to 15 points. Duinker also had five rebounds.
Sophomore Kevin Anderson scored 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting and dished out four assists. Senior Jarhon Giddings had 11 points and four rebounds and sophomore Kevin Smith had 11 points - including two dunks - to go with eight boards and five assists.
Juniors Ryan Butler and Kevin Hovde each had six points, while junior David Gonzalvez had three points and senior Duncan McLean had two.
Richmond led 54-36 at the half and had 92 points with eight minutes to go in the 48-minute game (four 12-minute quarters). The Spiders connected on 14 three-pointers, making seven in each half.
"To score a lot of points was good and important," Mooney said. "I think we have the kind of team that can score. Kevin Anderson can create so many things and makes it difficult on the defense. Then we have some guys who can score on inside and have some good shooters. I was very pleased with how aggressive we were. I thought for a team playing in August we were very fluid."
The Spiders defense was solid in the first quarter, holding USA Toulogues Perpignan to 16 points through the first 12 minutes, but the hosts got hot in the second and third quarter.
"I think our defense can be a little bit better. We're playing some new guys, some guys who are either playing for the first time or combinations that are playing for first time. Our defense really depends a lot on communication and really playing together. I think that is something we can improve on and will improve on."
Richmond returned to Barcelona after the game and will head to Zaragoza, Spain on Saturday. The Spiders will play Caja Rioja on Monday at 3 p.m. ET.
