Richmond’s Defense Leads To Road Victory At GW, 60-49

Friday, January 29

Washington, D.C

5PM

University of Richmond

9-4,6-2Atlantic 10

George Washington

4-11,1-8Atlantic 10

Richmond

George Washington

Richmond’s Defense Leads To Road Victory At GW, 60-49

01/29/2021 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The University of Richmond women's basketball team held George Washington to 13.3 percent from the three-point line (2-for-15) in a 60-49 road win Friday night at the Charles E. Smith Center. The Spiders defense forced 21 turnovers, had seven blocks and came up with 13 steals to improve to a perfect 4-0 on the road in Atlantic 10 play.

"I thought we did a lot of things well tonight," head coach Aaron Roussell said. "We had some big-time performances in some key moments. I think that was the best Alex Parson has played for us this year, making big buckets and the way she steadied the ship for us. I think we can find a lot of positives defensively but we are going to have to clean some things up offensively. It is good to get a road win in the A-10 as those are always difficult."

Richmond improves to 9-4 overall with its third win in a row and is 6-2 in the Atlantic 10, sitting in a tie for second place through eight games. The Spiders shot 44.4 percent from the field (20-for-45) and was 5-for-21 from the three-point line. UR outrebounded GW, 36-31, winning the rebounding battle for the third-straight game.

Freshman Addie Budnik (Highland Park, Ill.) led the team with 13 points, six rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Junior Claire Holt (Hoover, Ala.) had 11 points and was 2-for-4 from the three-point line. Junior Kate Klimkiewicz (Oakton, Va.) added 10 points and four rebounds. Sophomore Elaina Chapman (Richmond, Va.) continues to be a force defensively with seven points, 11 rebounds, a career-high five steals and two blocks. Senior Alex Parson (North Chesterfield, Va.) scored five of her eight points in the fourth quarter to help seal the win for the Spiders.

George Washington got within three points twice in the fourth quarter but Richmond had an answer each time. With 6:27 remaining, Neila Luma hit a jumper to make the score 45-42. Chapman pushed the lead back to five points with a offensive rebound and put back. Jasmine Whitney hit two free throws to get GW within three at 47-44 but Parson hit a jumper to regain a five-point lead at 49-44 with 5:40 left. Parson then drew a charge and the Colonials never got any closer. UR outscored GW, 19-13, in the fourth quarter and held them to 0-6 shooting from the three-point line.

In a defensive first half, Richmond used a 10-0 run in the second quarter to take a 27-23 halftime lead on the road at George Washington. The Spiders had 16 turnovers after two quarters but were able to force 14 from the Colonials. UR had nine steals and six blocks to help keep GW off the scoreboard.

GW took a 14-12 first quarter lead despite shooting 5-for-21 from the field. George Washington started the game with a four-point play after Maddie Loder hit a three-pointer plus the foul. Budnik answered with a three-pointer and Klimkiewicz made a layup to give Richmond a 5-4 lead with 7:03 remaining. Junior Aniyah Carpenter (Baltimore, Md.) hit a three-pointer to give the Spiders a 10-7 lead with 5:05 on the clock. GW finished the first quarter on a 7-2 run capped by a jumper from Caranda Perea.

The Spiders were trailing 16-12 in the second quarter before a 10-0 run gave them a six-point lead at 22-16. Holt and freshman Siobhan Ryan (Buffalo, N.Y.) combined to score eight of the 10 points in the run. UR built their largest lead at 27-20 after two free throws from freshman Grace Townsend (Midlothian, Va.). George Washington scored the final three points of the quarter to trail by just four.

In the third quarter, Klimkiewicz made a layup to give Richmond a 30-25 lead just three minutes in. A couple of Holt baskets and a three-pointer from Parson ballooned the Spider advantage to nine points at 37-28. Chapman scored in the post to give Richmond their largest lead of the game at 39-29. George Washington wouldn't go away going on a 7-2 run to end the quarter.

The Spiders continue their hot streak when leading after three quarters holding a 9-1 record and are 9-1 when they hold a lead with five minutes to play. It is the first time Richmond has held opponents under 50 points in back-to-back games since the 2016-17 season.

Richmond will finish the road trip with a rematch against George Mason on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. in Fairfax, Virginia.

For all the latest information on the team, follow SpiderWBBall on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

- UR -