University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
George Washington
Harper, Defense Lead Spiders To A-10 Opening Win Over GW
01/10/2009 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 10, 2009
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sophomore Justin Harper scored as many points as George Washington in the first half, pouring in 14 of his 19 before the break as Richmond won its Atlantic 10 opener 60-48 over George Washington on Saturday at the Smith Center.
The Spiders (9-6, 1-0 Atlantic 10), who have won four of the last five games, held George Washington (6-7, 0-1 Atlantic 10) to just 14 first-half points, the lowest point total for a Richmond opponent in head coach Chris Mooney's four seasons.
Richmond had a 25-5 lead with under six minutes to play and George Washington did not reach double-figures until 2:50 remained in the first half. Richmond led by as many as 23 (37-14) in the opening minutes of the second half. The Spiders have led by at least 22 points in four of the last five games.
"We definitely have made an improvement on the defensive end in the last five games," Richmond head coach Chris Mooney. "Tonight we really came out and brought a lot of energy on the defensive end, we forced turnovers and made it difficult to get good shots."
This was the second-straight game Richmond has held the opposition to under 50 points and third time in the last five games that the Spiders have held the opposition to under 60 points. Of Richmond's nine victories, eight have come by double-figures.
Harper made 7-of-13 field goals, including 3-of-6 three pointers on his way to tying a career high with 19 points. He also tied a career high with four blocks and grabbed five rebounds in a career-high 36 minutes
Junior David Gonzalvez added 13 points for the Spiders, who had a season-low seven turnovers. Senior Jarhon Giddings had 11 points and sophomore Kevin Anderson had 12 points and four assists.
Wynton Witherspoon had 15 points for George Washington and Rob Diggs added 10 points and seven rebounds.
The win gives Mooney a victory over 12 of Richmond's 13 Atlantic 10 opponents, just one game into his four conference season. The one program that Mooney's Spiders have not defeated is Xavier.
The Spiders play their final non-conference game of the season on Wednesday when they travel to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech. Richmond defeated the Hokies last season in the Robins Center.
