Spiders fall to Mississippi State in overtime at Bahamas Championship

Saturday, November 27

Nassau, Bahamas

12:30 PM

University of Richmond

Mississippi State

OT 1

Mississippi St.

Richmond

Spiders fall to Mississippi State in overtime at Bahamas Championship

11/27/2021 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Trailing by eight with 2:30 remaining in the second half, the Richmond Spiders rallied to force overtime vs Mississippi State Saturday at the Bahamas Championship before falling to the Bulldogs in 82-71 in the extra period.

Down 66-58, Dji Bailey started the Spiders run with a layup with 2:28 to play, registering two of his career-high 10 points. Richmond pulled closer with 57 seconds remaining, when Jacob Gilyard hit a three-pointer and was fouled. Gilyard made the free throw to close Richmond's deficit to 66-64.

After a Mississippi State missed a pair of three-point attempts at the other end, Nathan Cayo grabbed the rebound for Richmond and flipped it to Gilyard, who raced up the court and slipped the ball to Matt Grace at near the top of the key. Grace found Tyler Burton on the wing, and Burton drove hard to the basket and was fouled. Burton calmly converted both free throws with 9 seconds left to force overtime.

The Bulldogs regrouped quickly in overtime, scoring the first five points in the extra period and holding Richmond to 1-9 from the field as they held on for the 82-71 win.

"I was proud that we were able to handle ourselves and get the game to overtime," said Richmond coach Chris Mooney. "The last play, not calling a timeout, but having a good idea what we were going to do … Tyler making a great drive and the free throws … I'm proud of our effort but disappointed in the loss."

Burton scored a game-high 23 points and recorded seven rebounds, three more than any other Spider. He was named to the Bahamas Championship All-Tournament Team after totaling 34 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks, and three steals in Richmond's two games in the Bahamas.

Mississippi State outrebounded the Spiders 44-20 and registered 16 second-chance points on 13 offensive rebounds.

"Their size is a big part of their identity and what their strength is," said Mooney. "The rebounding is one thing, but I thought earlier in the game or midway through the first half through most of the second half I thought they were quicker to a couple of the loose balls that I wish we would have gotten."

Gilyard finished with 17 points to go with six assists and six steals. He increased his career steals total to 384, one shy of the career Division I record held by Providence's John Linehan.

Richmond will return to action Wednesday at Wofford. The game will tip at 7 PM and be streamed on ESPN Plus.