University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
North Carolina State
Richmond's Hot Start Quiets Wolfpack, 81-75
11/20/2010 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 20, 2010
• RECAP | BOX SCORE | PHOTOS | NOTES
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
Richmond (3-1) nailed 10 of its first 11 shots and withstood two NC State (2-2) comebacks to down the Wolfpack, 81-75, Saturday afternoon at the Robins Center.
The Spiders started out a head-turning 10-for-11 (91%) from the field and immediately put the Wolfpack on their heels, 12-4, with 16:47 remaining in the first frame.
Richmond's up-tempo play looked to be too much for the ACC foe as it pushed its lead to the 24-12 after a layup by Kristina Puthoff-King. The Wolfpack would cut the deficit to 29-22 with 10:34 but could get no closer the rest of the half. Richmond went into the locker room enjoying its largest lead of the game, 52-37.
Much of the Spiders' success came from a familiar source, as Brittani Shells had 18 at the break off 7-for-12 shooting from the field. Not to be outdone, Abby Oliver followed with 13 points, thanks a spotless 5-for-5 from the field. After looking lethargic in the first half, NC State roared to a comeback to open the last frame. The Wolfpack scored 15 points in four minutes and slashed the deficit to 56-52 with 16:19 left. Oliver came through with a clutch three in the corner to give Richmond back breathing room at 59-52. The Spiders upped their lead to 68-58, thanks to a Genevieve Okoro lay-up, but NC State was there to answer the call. The Wolfpack scored eight in a row to trail 68-66 with 9:30 remaining but an outlet pass from Shells to Kara Powell made the game a two-possession contest. NC State would get to within 78-75 with 2:47 left, but missed the next four shots and committed a costly turnover to put the fate of the game in the Spiders' hands. Shells nailed a right-side jumper with 30 seconds left to ice it, 78-73. Shells led all scorers with 28 points, her third game-high performance of the season. Shells drilled a season-best 11 field goals and dished four. Oliver followed with 17 tallies and was 3-for-4 from long range. Crystal Goring scored eight and pulled down 11 boards, two shy of matching her career-high. Okoro continued to impress, with another solid outing of nine points and six rebounds off the bench. The win marks Richmond's fourth-straight over an ACC opponent and the series evens at 1-1. Richmond's bench outscored the Wolfpack, 19-9, and the Spiders enjoyed 12 points off NC State turnovers. The Spiders travel to Hampton for at 6:00 p.m. tip Tuesday.
