University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Clemson
Shells Tallies 1,000th Point As Hot-Shooting Spiders Roll Past Clemson, 86-67
11/27/2009 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2009
STORRS, Conn. -
Junior guard Brittani Shells tallied her 1,000th point as Richmond (4-1) rolled past Clemson (3-2) 86-67 in the opening game of the WBCA Classic Friday night at Gampel Pavilion.
The Spiders controlled the game from the first tip, scoring two quick three-pointers to set the pace. The Spiders quickly went up 11-3 after a Katie Holzer jumper in the lane.
Richmond continued its scoring onslaught going on a 9-0 run to push the lead to 20-4 at the 11:38 mark. The Spiders held the Tigers scoreless for six minutes, going up by a commanding 28-9 lead with 7:02 remaining.
After a made three-pointer by sophomore Joyous Tharrington, the Spiders went up 31-11 with 6:14 remaining. Richmond ended its dominant first half with a commanding 47-23 advantage.
The 47 points scored in the first half was a season-high as was the scorching 17-for-28 shooting (61%) from the field. Eight different Spiders scored in the first half with Shells leading the pack with 12 points. Richmond netted a season-best seven three-pointers from long range in the first frame and already had recorded 12 assists.
"It is obvious we shot the ball well," said head coach Michael Shafer. "Anytime you can put 86 points on the board you give yourself a great chance to win. We were also very good defensively in the first half which really opened up the game for us. I am really proud of the way we played. I am proud we played together. Recording 23 assists is incredible. We moved the ball and cut with a purpose and we shot it well."
Shells became the 17th Spider to notch 1,000 points in Richmond women's basketball history. Shells was a remarkable 8-for-12 from the field, finishing with a game-high 21 points to go along with a season-best five assists. Shells has posted four game-high performances in the Spiders' five games.
"It's an honor [to achieve the 1,000 point mark]," said Shells. "Not a lot of people get to do that in their collegiate career. We played well. We went out and played basketball. We played a complete 40 minute game. We played well defensively and executed when we needed to on offense."
"I am so proud for Brittani," said Shafer. "Getting 1,000 points is a great accomplishment, particularly this early in her career. She played really well for us tonight."
The Spiders shot a season-best 60 percent from the field and recorded a season-best 23 assists. Nine different Spiders posted points in the scoring column. Redshirt junior Katie Holzer recorded another strong performance with 10 rebounds and four assists.
"Everyone got me the ball," said Holzer. "We read the defense well and I was able to finish."
Richmond squares off against No.1 Connecticut tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion. The game will be televised on CPTV (Connecticut Public Television.)
