Spiders win third straight behind Nelson, Burton

Wednesday, January 11

Davidson, NC

7:00 PM

University of Richmond

10-7,3-1Atlantic 10

Davidson

9-8,2-3Atlantic 10

Richmond

Davidson

01/11/2023 | Men's Basketball

Box Score AUDIO: Coach Mooney Post Game Radio AUDIO: Jason Nelson Post Game Radio

DAVIDSON, N.C. — A freshman started it. A senior ended it.

Wednesday at Davidson, redshirt freshman Jason Nelson led Richmond to a halftime lead, making four three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes for a game-high 12 points at the break.

The closing moments belonged to senior Tyler Burton, who sealed the Spiders 61-57 win with a pair of free throws with 12 seconds to play, his 12^th and 13^th points of the second half.

The win was Richmond's first in a true road game since February 22, 2022 against George Washington.

"Coming in, we all wanted a road win," said Nelson. "We knew we had to get a road win soon. It actually started in practice. Our scout team pushed us and made us go hard. And from then on, we were all focused and we came in here and showed out."

Richmond has won three straight road games vs Davidson for the first time in the history of the series. The Spiders are 5-1 in their last six games at Belk Arena, a stretch that dates back to 2016-17. The rest of the Atlantic 10 is 9-39 on the road vs Davidson during that span.

The Spiders held Davidson to 57 points, tied for its second-fewest in any game this season, and 36 percent shooting from the field (20-56). "Coming in we preached defense, defense, defense," said Nelson. "We knew what they were going to do and when they were going to do it."

While Burton's streak of six straight 20-point games came to an end, he finished with a game-high 17 points and 12 rebounds for his 20^th career double-double. "You're truly great if you can be off and have 17, 12, and 5 steals — amazing," said Richmond Head Coach Chris Mooney of Burton.

Nelson added 16 points while shooting 4-6 from three-point range. "He played a great game," said Mooney. "Obviously, to measure up to the level of guards that we've had here is difficult. It takes some time, but Jason is doing well and he can shoot the ball and is a scoring threat and that's what these guards have had in common with another, that they are a scoring threat."

Trailing 6-0, Richmond went on a 13-0 run to take control of the game early. After the Spiders went ahead, Nelson ensured they stayed there, hitting his third and fourth three-pointers of the game shortly before halftime to give Richmond a 33-30 lead at intermission.

Richmond held Davidson to just two points over a six-minute stretch in the second half to take a 52-37 lead with 9:20 remaining. The ensuing Wildcats comeback attempt was helped by some poor free-throw shooting by the Spiders down the stretch. Davidson cut Richmond's lead to 59-57 with 25 seconds to play, but Burton made a pair of free throws after he was fouled with 12 seconds left to make the final margin 61-57.

The Spiders are 7-2 in their last nine games and have won a season-high three straight. They'll look to stretch their win streak to four Saturday at St. Bonaventure. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 PM and the game will be nationally televised on USA Network.