University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
North Carolina State
Gritty Spiders Edged At N.C. State In WNIT
03/22/2013 | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Richmond took the lead late but could not hold on as it fell, 60-55, to N.C. State in the first round of the WNIT.
Richmond used a 17-7 late second-half push to take its largest lead of the game at 41-35 with 7:09 remaining. But N.C. State responded with a 12-6 run to tie the game at 47-all with 3:25 left.
From there, the Wolfpack would exploit their size inside, scoring three-straight buckets under the basket to take the lead for good. Rachael Bilney drained a three with 41 seconds left to get Richmond to within 54-52, but N.C. State hit key free-throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Becca Wann put forth an inspiring and impressive effort with 20 points and 11 rebounds for her 11th career double-double, sixth this season. Wann went 6-for-12 from the field, 2-of-5 from long range en route to her game-high total.
Rachael Bilney ended her career with 1,073 points, good for 16th all-time. Bilney made 197 career three-pointers, ranking second all-time. Her 71 threes this season ranks fourth in a single-season, and her eight threes in a win over GW last season stands as a school-record. Bilney hit seven threes in a thrilling comeback overtime win against Xavier this season.
The back-and-forth first half saw six lead changes and three ties. Richmond shot 9-for-27 (33.3%) in the first frame, 4-of-11 (36.4%) from long range. The Spider defense forced 14 first-half Wolfpack turnovers, but trailed the glass edge, 24-12. N.C. State used those extra opportunities to score 10 second-half points.
Richmond ended its season with a 16-16 mark and made its fifth-straight postseason appearance.
