Spiders Handle High Point At Holiday Hoops Fest

Saturday, December 22

Washington, D.C.

2:30 PM

University of Richmond

5-7

High Point

6-6

High Point

RICHMOND

12/22/2018 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Richmond controlled play and led for more than 39 minutes in a 74-59 win over High Point Saturday at the Holiday Hoops Fest in Washington, D.C. The Panthers scored the game's first two points, but a three from Grant Golden on the Spiders first possession put Richmond up 3-2 – a lead the Spiders wouldn't relinquish for the remainder of the game.

"I thought we played well," said coach Chris Mooney. "I think we're making big strides defensively and I think that showed up in a really positive way. Even when they scored it seemed hard. It was deep in the shot clock or on a great shot." Richmond has held its opponent under 65 points in four straight games for the first time since 2015.

The Spiders opened up a comfortable edge when three consecutive baskets by Nathan Cayo made the score 14-6 Richmond with 13 minutes remaining in the first half.

The Spiders stretched the lead to double digits four minutes later when Jacob Gilyard found Cayo for another lay-in, one of Gilyard's game-high nine assists. Richmond extended its margin to a 14 by halftime and took a 39-25 lead into the lockeroom.

Cayo led all players with 17 points in the first half and made all six of his shots from the field along with five of his six attempts from the free-throw line.

The Panthers were never able to pull within single digits in the second half. When they closed the gap to 51-41 with 11 minutes remaining, Richmond answered with a three-pointer by Gilyard and a layup from Golden out of a timeout.

Gilyard made short work of High Point's attempts to press as the clock wound down, and the Spiders secured the win at the free throw line, where they hit a season-high 24 of their 28 attempts on the day.

Cayo led all Spiders with 20 points, the second time in his career he's reached the 20-point mark. Golden finished with 19 points and a career-high 12 rebounds for his 10^th career double-double and fourth in the last six games. Gilyard matched career highs with nine assists and seven steals, one shy of the program record for steals in a game. He scored 14 of his 18 points after halftime.

Richmond will take a break for the Christmas holiday before returning to action on Saturday, December 29^th at South Alabama. The game will be streamed on ESPN Plus.