University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
SAINT LOUIS
Spiders Bury Saint Louis, 62-36, On Snowy Saturday In Richmond
01/30/2010 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 30, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND - Richmond put on a defensive clinic at the Robins Center as it held Saint Louis to 36 percent shooting and did not allow a three pointer in a 62-36 victory on a snowy Saturday in Richmond. Justin Harper led the way with 16 points and four rebounds.
David Gonzalvez and Francis-Cedric Martel each chipped in 10 for the Spiders, who limited the visiting Billikens to their lowest point total of the season.
The Spiders (16-6, 5-2) held a 17-point lead at the half, but really turned up the defensive pressure in the second period, allowing only four points through the first seven minutes of the half.
SLU (12-8, 3-3) struggled to get anything going offensively and looked like a much different team than the one that beat Richmond at home on January 9. Saint Louis was 18-of-50 from the field and did not make any of its 10 three-point attempts.
The win moves the Spiders' record at home to an impressive 10-1. Richmond made use of a full week off after a win over George Washington and came out with fresh legs that propelled the Spiders into a tie with Rhode Island for fourth-place in the log-jammed upper half of the Atlantic 10 standings.
Kwamain Mitchell provided the offense for the Billikens with his game-high 18 points. Willie Reed joined him as the only other player in double-figures with 10. Jon Smith turned in a strong 11-rebound game, but failed to convert on any of his five shots.
Richmond controlled the tempo from the start and forced the Billikens into 23 turnovers, scoring 24 points off of those takeaways. The Spiders also owned a distinct advantage at the free throw line, going 10-for-16 compared to SLU's 0-for-3 effort.
Darius Garrett played a key role in the Billiken shooting woes, rejecting four shots and challenging several others. Richmond swatted away eight shots as a team.
The Spiders are on the road next Wednesday as they take on Saint Joseph's at 7 p.m.
