University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
RHODE ISLAND
Harper Scores A Career-High 28 Points To Lead Richmond Past Rhody, 78-75
01/21/2009 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2009
SpiderTV: HIGHLIGHTS 
| MOONEY POSTGAME | PLAYERS POSTGAME
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Justin Harper poured in a career-high 28 points and Francis-Cedric Martel nailed the game-winning jumper with 15 seconds remaining to lead Richmond over Rhode Island, 78-75, Wednesday night at the Robins Center.
Harper was a sizzling 10-of-15 from the field, including 3-of-6 of from three-point range and came a rebound shy of a double-double in what stands as the Spiders' high-scoring output of the season. The sophomore played all 40 minutes, swatted two shots, had a steal and dished the game-winning assist to Martel.
The 28 points by Harper is the most by a Spiders since Dan Geriot's 35 versus St. Bonaventure on Feb. 27, 2008.
Winners of five of their last eight, Richmond improved to 10-8 overall and 2-1 in A-10 play. Rhode Island, which has already taken nationally-ranked Duke and Xavier to the wire this season, slipped to 12-7, 1-3.
Kevin Anderson and David Gonzalves each scored 15 while Jarhon Giddings added 10 to complete the four Spiders in double-figures. Kahiem Seawright's 18 led the way for Rhody, but the Spiders bottled up the hot-shooting hand of Jimmy Baron to the tune of 3-of-12 from the field (3-of-9 from long range).
The visitors were nearly spotless at the free throw line, but three key misses down the stretch helped keep Rhody winless in its eight all-time trips to the Capital City (0-7 versus the Spiders in Richmond).
Anderson drove the paint and kissed the ball off the glass with 1:13 remaining to give the Spiders a 75-74 lead. Seawright made one of two at the line on the ensuing possession to tie the game, and then Martel rattled in his jumper on the next trip.
Richmond was whistled for another foul, but Marquis Jones missed both free throws. URI snared the rebound and called timeout, but Richmond forced a turnover on the inbounds pass to ice it.
The competitive A-10 game featured 11 ties and 14 lead changes.
Led by Harper, the Spiders shot 56.4 percent (31-of-55) for the game, including an impressive 18-of-28 (64.3 percent) in the first half. The Spiders owned a 42-28 advantage in interior scoring and a 10-2 edge in fast-break points.
Richmond sprinted out to a quick 8-2 lead to lead early on, thanks to seven points from Anderson. URI whittled away, only to see the Spiders embark on an 11-4 run - capped by a Kevin Smith dunk at the 3:03 mark - to give the home team its largest lead of the game at 43-33.
Anderson had a chance to put a stranglehold on the game in the closing minute of the first half, but missed both free throws after Stevie Mejia was tagged for an intentional foul and the Spiders settled for a 46-40 lead at the half.
Richmond returns to action Sunday at Saint Louis with a 3 p.m. ET tipoff.
