University of Richmond
George Mason
Late Rally Comes Up Just Short In 82-77 Loss To Mason
01/22/2017 | Men's Basketball
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – The excitement of a sold out crowd almost blew the roof off the Robins Center late Sunday afternoon when the University of Richmond men's basketball team nearly completed a historic comeback against Atlantic 10 and in-state foe George Mason.
However, the late rally came up just short as the Spiders dropped an 82-77 decision to the Patriots, despite the seventh double-double of the season from senior T.J. Cline, who finished with a team-high 21 points and 11 rebounds, also chipping four assists on the day.
Classmate ShawnDre' Jones was the second-highest scoring Spider with 19 points and six assists on the day, while freshmen Nick Sherod (12 pts) and De'Monte Buckingham (11 pts, eight rebs) also posted double-figures in scoring.
Mason came out firing from the tip, grabbing a 24-12 lead eight minutes into the contest on the backs of lights out shooting from outside.
Back-to-back three-pointers from senior Marshall Wood and Cline ignited the Spiders, who got within three, 28-25, before the Patriots made a late spurt behind All-Atlantic 10 performer Marquis Moore to take a 49-34 advantage into the break.
Mason would push their lead to as many as 23, but the resilient Spiders wouldn't go away quietly.
Richmond's defense and sharp shooting from beyond the arc sparked a rally that saw the Spiders hold Mason to just four points over a seven-minute stretch, while knocking four three-pointers to get within seven at 73-66 with 5:15 to play.
The Spiders got within five three times in the final four minutes, but were unable to pull off the comeback as Mason held on late for the 82-77 victory.
Richmond is back at home on Wednesday night when they host another preseason A-10 favorite in Rhode Island. Game time on CBS Sports Network is set for 8 p.m.
