University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Wake Forest
Spiders Notch 10th Win Of Season With 64-54 Victory At Wake Forest
01/04/2010 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 4, 2010
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -
Richmond (10-4) secured its fourth straight win over Wake Forest (9-5) and 10th of the season with a 64-54 victory at Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum Monday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.
" I am very proud of our ladies," said head coach Michael Shafer. "I felt like we had been spinning our wheels in a rut for a little bit and tonight they found a way to push through for a win on the road against a good ACC team in Wake Forest. It was a very physical game and we did not flinch. We battled, we pressed, ran when we could, we defended pretty well and played well in a grind of a game. I really felt like our whole team stepped up to the challenge and made significant contributions in various ways."
The game was a defensive struggle at the start, as neither team could find its rhythm early. Rachael Bilney provided a boost off the bench with five first-half points, including a lay-up that jumpstarted a 5-0 Spider run.
Joyous Tharrington followed the Bilney lay-up with a three-pointer in the corner to give Richmond its largest lead of the half at 22-17. The Demon Deacons responded with a 7-2 run to close the half at 24-all.
Both Kara Powell and Brittani Shells saw limited minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, but rectified their absence with breakout second-half performances. Powell scored all of her 11 points in the last frame, while Shells followed her hot-hand to a game-high 19 points.
The Spiders turned the corner when Danielle Bell steal and Oliver jumper to push the Richmond lead to 50-42 with 11:26 remaining.
Wake Forest would cut the lead to 52-49 after a Deacon lay-up with 8:12 left but would get no closer.
"To be able to win two games against ACC teams this season was a goal of ours and we were able to do it, despite struggling a little bit," said Shafer. "I would like to think that this win will give us a boost of confidence as we head to play at Appalachian State and then on to the A-10. I really can not say enough about the way our ladies competed tonight- they wanted to win and they went out and did just that."
Richmond secured its fourth straight win over the Deacons, and second victory over an ACC opponent this season.
The Spiders conclude their non-conference slate at Appalachian State Wednesday. Tip is slated for 5:00 p.m.
