University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
RICE
Spiders Steam Rice, 74-43
01/03/2009 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 3, 2009
SpiderTV: HIGHLIGHTS 
| MOONEY INTERVIEWS | GONZALVEZ & HARPER INTERVIEWS
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Junior David Gonzalvez scored 20 points and sophomore Justin Harper had 16 as the Spiders defeated Rice 74-43 Saturday at the Robins Center.
Richmond (8-6) jumped out to a 37-17 lead at the half and led by as many as 36 as the Spiders won for the third time in the last four games.
"That was our best defensive effort of the season," Richmond head coach Chris Mooney said. "We have been playing better defense the past four games and today we really made it difficult for them to score."
The Spiders held Rice to 33.3 percent shooting, forced 20 turnovers and out-rebounded the Owls 34-26.
"We are committed to playing tough defense, but with the defense we play relying on five guys, it can take a little while to figure out for the younger guys," Mooney said. "Now you can see them picking it up."
Richmond has held three of its last four opponents under 70 points and two of the last four to under 60 points. The Spiders have also outrebounded the opposition in four-straight games and five of the last six.
Gonzalvez made 7-of-13 field goals, including 4-of-6 three-pointers and dished out three assists. It was the fourth 20-point game of the season for Gonzalvez, who has scored in double-figures in 15-straight games.
Richmond spread the offense around Saturday with 10 different players scoring. With all the offensive output, sophomore Kevin Anderson only took five shots and had his double-figure scoring streak snapped at 22 games, finishing with two points.
Sophomore Justin Harper scored 16 points, making 4-of-7 three-pointers and grabbing a career-high nine rebounds. Junior Kevin Hovde had 10 points and freshman Francis-Cedric Martel had nine points and four rebounds.
The Spiders have a week off before opening conference play at George Washington next Saturday at 7 p.m. in a game televised on MASN.
