University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
George Washington
Bell's Jumper Lifts Women's Basketball Over Colonials, 66-65
01/10/2009 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 10, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
Junior Danielle Bell poured in a season-high 19 points and drilled the game-winning jumper with 1.5 seconds left to lift Richmond (13-3, 1-0) past George Washington (7-8, 0-1) 66-65, Saturday night at the Robins Center.
Richmond held a 64-60 lead at the 2:36 mark after two made free-throws by sophomore Brittani Shells. George Washington's Yolanda Lavender nailed a three-pointer with 1:12 remaining to cut the lead to 64-63. After a missed lay-up by sophomore Crystal Goring, George Washington senior Jazmine Adair rebounded the ball and passed to Tara Booker. Booker missed the lay-up, Adair scored off the offensive rebound, giving the Colonials a 65-64 lead with 10 seconds left.
Richmond ran the length of the court, Shells passed to Bell who then banked in the game-winning lay-up with 1.5 seconds remaining.
"We had to do something with the ball," said Bell. "I just happened to be there. This win is huge for us. It feels great to start conference play 1-0."
The win snaps a five-game losing streak with the Colonials.
"We didn't lose sight with how much time we had on the clock," said head coach Michael Shafer. "We bought into the idea we had plenty of time left. We use last-second shot scenerios in practice for games like this. Today it paid off."
The Spiders boast a conference-leading 13-3 record heading into next week's games with La Salle and Saint Joesph's.
"This win gives us a belief we can be a very good basketball team in March," said Shafer.
Shells added 15 points, and dished out a season-high six assists. Senior Johanna McKnight chipped in with 13 points.
The Spiders return to action next Wednesday when they travel to La Salle. Tip-off is slated for noon.
