University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Delaware
Spiders Pluck Blue Hens, 67-49; Play At Syracuse Monday
03/18/2010 | Women's Basketball
March 18, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
Richmond cruised to its 20th win of the season with a dominating 67-49 victory over Delaware in the first round of the WNIT Thursday evening at the Bob Carpenter Center. The Spider play at Syracuse Monday in the second round. Game time is TBD.
"I was tremendously proud of the way our ladies competed," said head coach Michael Shafer. "We played extremely well, especially on the defensive end. I thought if we were able to crash the boards and push the ball, then we would have a good chance to win the ballgame. When we're able to run, we get into a rhythm to knock down shots. That's what happened today."
"Britt handled [the homecoming back to Delaware] well," said Shafer. "I'm very pleased with her effort, I thought she handled it well. She had five assists and played tough on the defensive end. She had a great game for us."
The Spiders were virtually unstoppable in the first half, connecting on 16-of-27 (59%) baskets, including 6-of-8 from long range. The 40 first-half points scored was the most point production by the Spiders since Feb. 26th against GW (41).
The Spiders held Delaware to just seven first half field goals and 26 percent from the field.
Richmond started the game converting five of its first six shots and seven of its first nine. The Spiders then broke the game open, going on a 12-2 run to take a 26-16 lead at the 5:04 mark.
Delaware would cut the lead to 29-20 at the 3:15 mark but the Spiders quickly responded with a 6-0 run to to go up 35-20 with 2:07 remaining.
Richmond picked up where it left off in the first five minutes of the second half, pushing its lead to its largest of the game at 51-26 after a fadeaway jumper by Camden, Delaware native Brittani Shells. Shells was well represented in the crowd at the Bob Carpenter Center and ended the game with a team-high 18 points.
"I was excited to come home," said Shells. "I've been on this court many times before, so I was looking forward to it."
Delaware came back to life behind the nation's leading scorer Elena Delle Donne's back-to-back threes. Delle Donne scored nine of her team's 11 points in the Blue Hens' scoring spurt.
The Blue Hens got to within 56-43 at the 7:03 mark but would get no closer. Delle Donne only put up six points in the first frame, but found her rhythm in the second half, pouring in 16 additional points to end the game at 25.
The Spiders bested the Blue Hens on the boards, 36-27 and recorded 14 assists. Oliver also poured in 18 points, while Danielle Bell contributed a season-high 15 points, including 3-of-4 from long range.
Richmond improved to 7-6 in WNIT play, and 4-2 over the Blue Hens.
