University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
LA SALLE
Behind Williams' Career-High, Spiders Win Thriller
02/09/2012 | Men's Basketball
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Derrick Williams posted a career-high 22 points as Richmond edged La Salle, 78-76 Wednesday night at the Robins Center.
Williams also added 11 rebounds for his fourth career double-double. The overpowering Williams went to the line 12 times, sinking a career-high 10 free throws. Darien Brothers followed with 13 points.
La Salle led by a game-high 32-21 margin at the 6:06 mark, but Richmond jumpstarted a 11-0 run behind Sparrow's three-pointer. Richmond tied the game at 32-all after a Martel free-throw at the 3:52 mark.
The nailbiter second half saw five tied scores and seven lead changes. Williams proved to be the game-changer down the stretch. Williams grabbed four offensive rebounds in a key possession, and hit one of two free-throws to put Richmond ahead 74-73 with 1:41 left.
After a three-pointer by La Salle, Williams answered the call with a layup to knot the score at 76-all with 55 seconds remaining. Not surprisingly, it was Williams with the game-winning putback with five seconds remaining to edge Richmond ahead, 78-76.
Wayne Sparrow was impressive, with a career-high 10 tallies off the bench. Kendall Anthony, Cedrick Lindsay and Francis Cedric-Martel all chipped in with nine points. Darrius Garrett equaled Williams with a team-high 11 rebounds.
Richmond moves to 13-12, 4-6 while La Salle falls to 17-8, 6-4 overall. Richmond went 21-of-24 from the line (87.5 percent). The Spiders outrebounded La Salle, 45-27 and recorded 16 assists.
The Spiders return to the hardwood on Saturday when they welcome George Washington to the Robins Center for a 5 p.m. tip. The game will be televised live nationally on ESPNU.
