University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Lehigh
Richmond Shoots Down Mountain Hawks, Gets 12th Win
12/31/2011 | Women's Basketball
LEHIGH, Pa. -- The Spiders cruised past Lehigh, 71-49, Friday night in the final game of the Lehigh Christmas Classic at Stabler Arena.
The win improves Richmond to 12-2 and snapped Lehigh's four-game win streak at home. Richmond currently boasts a six-game win streak, its longest stretch of consecutive wins since Dec. 30-Jan. 19, 2010.
The 12-2 record is the best non-conference mark in the Shafer era and the most wins through 14 games since the 2004-05 season.
Abby Oliver and Becca Wann represented Richmond on the All-Classic team, with Wann garnering Tournament MVP after a 17-point performance against James Madison and a career-first double-double against Lehigh (10 points, 10 rebounds).
After the score changing hands back and forth early, Richmond took the lead for good on two Rachael Bilney free throws with 5:45 left. The Spiders then proceeded to close the half on a 10-3 run to take 37-29 heading into the break.
Richmond kept the momentum going with a 10-2 run to open the second half to take control at 47-31 with 16:30 remaining. The Mountainhawks could not recover.
Oliver led Richmond with 21 points, off 9-of-15 from the field. Oliver also dished six assists and had three steals. Oliver recorded her 13th career 20 point game, fifth this season.
Keri Soppe had 11 points, while Wann notched the first double-double of her career with 10 points and 10 boards.
Richmond had 21 assists and pulled down a season-high 46 rebounds.
The Spiders open conference action Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. against Temple at the Robins Center.
