University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Massachusetts
Shells Moves Into 7th All-Time As Spiders Down UMass, 73-62
01/16/2010 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 16, 2010
AMHERST, Mass. -
Junior Brittani Shells moved into seventh place on Richmond's all-time scoring list (1,230) as the Spiders (13-4, 2-0) downed UMass (6-11, 0-2) 73-62 Saturday afternoon at the Mullins Center. Shells led three Spiders in double-figures with a game-high 22 points.
Richmond owned the game from the first tip, quickly going up 9-3 in the first four minutes of the first half. The Spiders continued to pester the Minutewomen with their press, which resulted in easy lay-ups for Richmond.
"We came out and attacked both ends of the floor," said head coach Michael Shafer. "We attacked aggressively and pressured them with our press which resulted in easy lay-ups for us. I'm very proud of our 19 assists and how well we played, particularly in the first half. The girls just went out and played. It was a fun game to watch."
The Spiders were sparked by the play of sophomore Joyous Tharrington, who scored a career-high 13 points in 15 minutes off the bench. Tharrington went a perfect 3-for-3 from long range and 5-for-7 from the field.
Richmond was practically flawless from the field in the first frame, shooting a scorching 20-for-29 (69%) from the field, while connecting on 7-of-10 threes for a season-best 48 first-half points. Richmond dished 16 assists on 20 baskets.
The Spiders took their largest lead of the game early in the second half after Shells connected on a three-pointer to push the Richmond advantage to 54-34. Massachusetts would chip away the deficit to 11 points three separate times, but could get no closer.
"We're still battling consistency. I think we have yet to put a whole team on the basketball floor, but I am very pleased with the way we played in our first road conference game."
With the win, the Spiders now own an Atlantic-10 leading, five-game win streak. Richmond improves to 4-1 at the Mullins Center and 9-2 against the Minutewomen.
Shells' game-high 22 points moved her past current assistant coach Ebony Tanner Moore for sole possession of seventh place on Richmond's all-time scoring list. Shells also moved into seventh place on Richmond's all-time steal list with 181 career grabs.
The Spiders host George Washington at the Robins Center Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
