Women’s Basketball Captures Season Opener Over Liberty

Monday, November 7

Lynchburg, VA

3:30 p.m.

University of Richmond

1-0,0-0Atlantic 10

Liberty

0-1,0-0ASUN

Richmond

Liberty

Women’s Basketball Captures Season Opener Over Liberty

11/07/2022 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The University of Richmond women's basketball team opened the 2022-23 season with a big 69-48 victory at Liberty Monday afternoon. The Spiders (1-0) will host Mount St. Mary's Thursday at the Robins Center, with tip-off set for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.

"(Today) was definitely one of the best wins we've had in our time here," head coach Aaron Roussell said. "Beating an opponent as good as Liberty in a setting where they never lose is something this group should be incredibly proud of."

Paced by double-figure scoring from Addie Budnik (Highland Park, Ill.), Grace Townsend (Richmond, Va.) and Siobhan Ryan (Buffalo, N.Y.), the Spiders handed the Flames their third home loss in four seasons at Liberty Arena. Richmond collected 20 points off of Liberty's 17 turnovers, while the Flames out-rebounded the Spiders, 35-28.

"Our defense was really good today and it's something that we have worked really hard at. It's great to see this group rewarded for their offseason work like they were today," Roussell added.

After Richmond scored the first point of the game, the Flames tallied the next nine. Emilija Krista Grava (Ligatne, Lativa) turned the momentum scoring five-straight points, combined with two free throws by Budnik put the Spiders within one. After trading baskets, the Spiders closed the opening period with a layup by Townsend to get within two at 17-15.

Richmond kicked their defense into high gear in the second quarter, only allowing five points to Liberty. The Spiders took advantage of the Flames six-plus minute scoring drought, building out a 14-point lead before taking a 33-22 lead into the half.

Freshman Maggie Doogan (Broomall, Pa.) got in on the scoring action, draining her first collegiate three-pointer in the second quarter. Budnik tallied nine of her 21 points in the period, jumping into double-figure scoring at 15 in one half. Budnik also pulled down seven boards and dished out three helpers.

The closest the Flames got in the second half was eight points, getting three quick points to open the third quarter. Ryan drained three big three-pointers in the quarter, as Katie Hill (Colts Neck, N.J.) and Townsend chipped in long-distance buckets of their own. Richmond closed the quarter on a 9-2 run over the final two minutes for a 19-point lead, at 57-38. Ryan finished the game with 13 points and four rebounds, while Hill chipped in seven points. Townsend chipped in 14 points, a game-high eight rebounds and three assists.

Richmond kept the Flames out of reach in the fourth quarter, pushing their lead out to 21-points with a lay-up by Grava with 1:21 left in the game. Grava finished the game with seven points after dealing with foul trouble.