University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
La Salle
Richmond Cruises Past La Salle, 67-48
01/14/2009 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 14, 2009
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -
A dominant second-half performance propelled Richmond (14-3, 2-0) past La Salle (9-8, 0-2) for its fourth victory in a row. Junior Nikita Thomas led the Spiders with a career-best 15 points.
Richmond took the lead 3-2 off a Brittani Shells three-pointer at the 17:05 mark. The Spiders then went on a 7-2 run before the Explorers responded with a three-pointer by Margaret Elderton at the 12:32 mark. The lead went back and forth before the Spiders edged ahead 28-26, off a Thomas lay-up as time expired.
The Spiders started the second half on a 6-0 run thanks to consecutive lay-ups by Thomas and Shells. Junior Danielle Bell started the spark with two quick steals. After the 6-0 run, the Spiders never looked back as they went on to outscore the Explorers 39-22 in the second half.
"We upped our defensive intensity in the second half," said head coach Michael Shafer. "We attacked the basket instead of settling for jump shots, and it paid off."
The Spiders have won four straight against the Explorers, with three of the four wins coming in Philadelphia. The 19-point margin of victory was Richmond's largest over an Atlantic 10 opponent since defeating Rhode Island 68-38 Feb. 13, 2008.
Thomas scored in double-figures for the fifth time this season.
"I try to bring a lot of energy to the floor," said Thomas. "Once we started playing the game we're used to playing, things went more smoothly."
Richmond returns to Philadelphia to face-off against Saint Joseph's Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.
