New faces lead Spiders past VMI

Monday, November 7

Robins Center

7:00 PM

University of Richmond

1-0,0-0Atlantic 10

VMI

0-1,0-0SoCon

VMI

Richmond

11/07/2022 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Quick Highlights Bigelow, Mooney Postgame

RICHMOND, Va. – A lengthy defensive lineup made things difficult for visiting VMI, and hometown hero Jason Nelson made the most of his first career start in front of a crowd of dozens of family and friends as the Spiders opened the season with a 69-48 win at the Robins Center Monday evening.

Richmond held the Keydets to 25 percent shooting from the field (16-64), the lowest for a Spiders opponent since November 17, 2011, when Hampton shot 15-60 (.250) in a loss to UR.

"I think we could be very good defensively," said Spiders coach Chris Mooney. "We didn't force a ton of turnovers but I also don't think we let them feel too comfortable."

VMI's 48 points were the fewest by a Spiders opponent since UR's 74-47 win vs La Salle on February 12, 2020.

"With our ability to pressure, our size around the basket, I think we have a few different ways where defensively we could be pretty good," said Mooney. "I feel like this year's team is tall, long, and tough around the glass. We had a couple of blocks and changed shots at the rim. Those things are really positive and can really help us during the course of the year."

Offensively, Nelson scored a team-high 13 points and added three assists while starting and playing 28 minutes without a turnover in his first career game.

"I think in the second half you could see a little bit of some of what he can do so well," said Mooney of Nelson's performance. "When he's aggressive, that's going to be very important for us. His ability to get in the lane, be disruptive defensively, and just make plays happen."

Tyler Burton added 12 points and a team-high 11 rebounds for Richmond to record his 18^th career double-double. Isaiah Bigelow, making his Richmond debut after transferring from Wofford last season, added 11 points off the bench.

"Depth is something that stands out to me as a positive for us," said Mooney after the game. "We have a versatile group of players. I think that could be something that helps us all season long."

Richmond used a 13-0 run midway through the first half to take control of the game, as UR held VMI scoreless for more than eight minutes after the Keydets opened the game on a 7-3 run. Citadel transfer Jason Roche started the spurt with a three-pointer off the bench. Marcus Randolph ended it with a three-pointer to make the score 16-7 Richmond with 8:48 remaining in the opening period.

UR led 28-21 at the break and stretched its lead to 13 early in the second half, taking a 37-24 advantage with 15 minutes to play. VMI closed to within 10 midway through the period before Richmond scored 16 straight points to remove any doubt.

Richmond's 21-point margin of victory was its largest in a season opener since an 84-42 win over Liberty in 2012.

Up next for the Spiders is a Friday night home date with Northern Iowa. The game will tip at 7 PM on MASN2 and ESPN Plus. Members of the 2021-22 team will be presented with their A-10 Championship rings in a pregame ceremony and banners recognizing the team's conference title and its appearance in the 2022 NCAA Tournament will be unveiled in the rafters of the Robins Center.