University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
LA SALLE
Richmond Rolls Past La Salle In Conference Opener, 65-52
01/09/2010 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
Brittani Shells poured in 23 points and the Richmond women's basketball team rolled to a 65-52 win over La Salle Saturday at the Robins Center. The Spiders improved to 12-4 overall and won their third-straight Atlantic 10 opener.
Kara Powell knocked down both of her threes and scored 11 points, while Rachel Bilney added 10 off the bench for Richmond, which slammed the door on a nip-and-tuck game with a 12-0 run to end the first half.
"I am happy that we started off conference play with a win," said head coach Michael Shafer. "I felt like we came out a bit slow footed, but eventually at the end of the first half our press reaped some benefits and allowed us to gain a nine-point lead."
The Spiders took a 37-28 lead at the half, but a three by Shells with 2:01 left in the half triggered the rally and tied the game at 28-28 - the game's ninth tie. A layup by Powell a minute later gave Richmond the lead for good - the game's 10th lead change.
La Salle (5-11, 0-1) turned the ball over 24 times and the Spiders feasted on the miscues, with a 31-15 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Spiders kept the pedal to the metal after the break -a three by Danielle Bell made it 40-30 a minute in and another Bell jumper at the 4:10 mark gave Richmond its largest lead of the day of 14 at 62-48.
"We had a lot of people contribute in a variety of ways-offensively and defensively," said Shafer. "I thought that Brittani played really well and continues to find different ways to be a threat. Rachael had a very good game, particularly rebounding the ball. Danielle played well assist to turnover wise and six steals. Hopefully the week off will heal a few wounds and get us fresh as we head deeper into conference play."
Richmond has the week off and returned to action next Saturday at Massachusetts at 2 p.m.
