University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Dayton
Thomas Leads Richmond Past Dayton
02/18/2009 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 18, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
Junior Nikita Thomas scored 10 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds en route to a 60-51 victory over Dayton (15-12, 4-7) Wednesday night. The Spiders improved to 19-7, its best start since 2004.
Dayton took a 13-7 lead at the 15:40 mark, thanks to a 6-0 run started by a Kristin Daughtery lay-up. Richmond recovered and took the lead 17-16 after a three-pointer by freshman Rachael Bilney at the 10:46 mark. Dayton tied the score 28-all off a Justine Raterman lay-up with 1:46 remaining in the half.
Richmond ended the half with a 34-28 advantage, thanks to a run capped by another Bilney three-pointer. The Spiders dominated the boards, holding a 26-17 advantage at the break, and ended the game with a 51-32 edge.
"Rebounding was our team goal," said Thomas. "It was a tough game, but our defense was key. We definitely were successful in achieving that goal."
Richmond would lead by as many as 14 in the second half, before Dayton started a comeback of its own. The Flyers fought back to 48-42, but was silenced by a Johanna McKnight three-pointer at the 7:08 mark that pushed the lead back to 51-42.
"We focused a lot on defense in practice," said head coach Michael Shafer. "Nikita's effort and hustle were tremendous for us tonight."
Raterman's three-pointer at the 3:49 mark put the Flyers back within four, but they would get no closer.
Thomas' career night marked the sixth double-double of her career. Sophomore Brittani Shells led the Spiders with 11 points. McKnight chipped in with 10 points.
The Spiders play at Temple Saturday. Tip is slated for 2:00 p.m.
