Spiders Fall at VCU in Lumber Liquidators Capital City Classic

Tuesday, January 28

Richmond, VA

7:00 PM

University of Richmond

15-6,5-3Atlantic 10

VCU

16-5,6-2Atlantic 10

Richmond

VCU

Spiders Fall at VCU in Lumber Liquidators Capital City Classic

01/28/2020 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Mooney Postgame

RICHMOND, Va. – Despite a game-high 24 points from junior forward Grant Golden (Winchester, Va.), the University of Richmond men's basketball team fell to crosstown rival VCU 87-68 Tuesday night at the Siegel Center in the Lumber Liquidators Capital City Classic. The Spiders were unable to answer a 22-5 run by VCU to start the second half that broke open a game that was tied at halftime. The two teams will meet again February 15th at the Robins Center.

Richmond (15-6, 5-3 Atlantic 10), who entered the game leading the conference in three-point field goal percentage at 37.7 percent, connected on just three of its 14 attempts from deep (21.4 percent). The Rams, on the other hand, hit 10-of-21 (47.1 percent) from deep, including five makes on five attempts by freshman Bones Hyland.

VCU (16-5, 6-2 A-10) came out quickly, taking a 12-4 lead just three-and-a-half minutes into the game. After the Spiders fought back to tie the game at 13, VCU again pulled away, ultimately taking a 33-20 lead with just under seven minutes to play until halftime.

Richmond roared back as the Spiders posted a 19-6 run over the final 6:24 of the half to enter the locker room tied at 39-39. The run started with six-straight points, including back-to-back baskets from sophomores Jake Wojcik (San Jose, Calif.) and Andre Gustavson (Helsinki, Finland). Junior guard Jacob Gilyard (Kansas City, Mo.) took over at the end of the stretch, scoring seven points with a three-pointer off an offensive rebound and the free throws that gave Richmond its first lead of the night. Following a steal and a layup by Gilyard to give Richmond a 39-36 advantage, Hyland hit his fourth three-pointer of the half just before the buzzer to send the teams into the locker room tied at 39.

The Rams continued to be on target from three-point range, hitting a pair of triples in the first minute of the second half to take a six-point lead. Two more three-pointers and three baskets by Rams forward Marcus Santos-Silva made the score 65-47 with 11 minutes to play. During VCU's 22-8 run to open the second half, Golden scored seven of Richmond's eight points, with a free-throw by Nick Sherod the only other Spiders tally.

Richmond was able to get within 12 of the Rams down the stretch but never seriously threatened.

Golden finished 10-of-20 from the field, scoring 24 points in 28 minutes while also grabbing eight rebounds. It was the 25th 20-point game of his career, the third most by any Spider over the last 10 seasons. Junior forward Nathan Cayo (Montreal, Quebec) added 13 points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line.

The Spiders return home to the Robins Center Saturday evening when they host George Washington. Game time is set for 6 PM on ESPN Plus and NBC Sports Washington.

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