University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
St. Bonaventure
Big Second Half Leads Spiders Past Bonnies, To 20th Win Of Season
02/13/2010 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 13, 2010
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - Richmond used a 13-0 run to open the second half and another suffocating defensive effort to down St. Bonaventure, 68-49, Saturday at the Reilly Center in St. Bonaventure, N.Y. David Gonzalvez led all scorers with 25 as the Spiders won their 20th game of the season.
The victory moved Richmond (20-6, 9-2) into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic 10 and marked the team's sixth-straight victory. It also tied a school record for fastest to the 20-win mark - matching the 1986 club that also reached its 20th triumph on Feb. 13.
Regarded as one of the most hostile environments in the A-10, Richmond quieted what was a rowdy Reilly Center by limiting the Bonnies (10-13, 3-7) to just 17 second-half points. After scoring 14 in the game's first 15 minutes, Bona leading scorer Andrew Nicholson mustered just three the rest of the way.
Gonzalvez did his damage by shooting eight-of-13 from the field and eight-of-nine at the free throw line. The senior also chipped in five rebounds, five steals and three assists.
The Spiders, who entered as the league's third-best defensive team, limited Bona to just 32 percent shooting for the game (19-of-59) and held an opponent to under 60 points for the fifth time in six games.
Justin Harper had a team-high nine rebounds and scored 14 - four of which came on a pair of monster dunks as the Spiders sprtinted away in the second half. Darrius Garrett chipped in seven points, three blocks and two boards.
After trailing much of the first half, the Bonnies used a 9-2 run to close the first half and take a 32-31 lead into the locker room.
But the home team couldn't keep that momentum rolling and watched as the Spiders bolted out on a 13-0 run to start the second half, stretching the decisive run to 21-4 at the 10-minute mark.
The Spiders are home Wednesday to host Fordham. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
