University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Wake Forest
Spiders Give No. 25 Demon Deacons Wake-Up Call, 45-33
01/06/2009 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 6, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
Defense was key as Richmond (12-3) knocked off No. 25 Wake Forest (12-1) 45-33 Tuesday night at the Robins Center. The Spiders forced 29 Demon Deacons turnovers as they secured their first win over a ranked opponent since Feb. 12, 2006. Junior Nikita Thomas recorded her fifth double-double of her career, scoring 10 points while grabbing a career-high 12 rebounds.
Richmond started the game on a 6-0 run. Wake Forest tied the game at 14-14 on a Corienne Groves jumper at the 10:05 mark. Stifling defense and turnovers plagued both teams as neither scored for two six-minute stretches.
"On defense we did what we needed to do," said head coach Michael Shafer said. "We defended them well, we rebounded particularly well and we got enough offensive production to win."
The Spiders started the second half much like the first, going on a 4-0 run thanks to two consecutive lay-ups by Thomas.
"In the first half, we weren't playing at our pace," said Thomas. "Once we started playing together, we were fine. In the second half, our defense created our offense."
Richmond started to pull away 34-29, after two made free-throws by freshman Abby Oliver at the 5:41 mark. The Spiders only allowed 13 second-half points for the Demon Deacons. Richmond has won the past three meetings against Wake Forest.
"Anytime you get a chance to beat a top-25 team it helps in every facet of your program," said Shafer. "It helps in recruiting, it helps confidence and it helps the league. I'm very pleased we were able to do it tonight."
Richmond's last win over a ranked opponent came on Feb. 12, 2006 when the Spiders knocked off No. 19 Temple, 56-54. Tonight's game marked the least amount of points the Spiders have allowed since holding William & Mary to 33 points on Jan. 27, 1990 in Williamsburg. It was the lowest Robins Center scoring total for a Richmond opponent since limiting Lynchburg to 33 points in 1976.
The Spiders return to action Saturday night when they host Atlantic 10 conference rival, George Washington. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
