Townsend Shines in Spider Comeback Victory over VCU Wednesday Evening

Wednesday, January 3

Richmond, Va.

6 p.m.

University of Richmond

12-3,2-0Atlantic 10

VCU

12-2,1-1Atlantic 10

VCU

Richmond

Townsend dribbling around a VCU defender

Townsend Shines in Spider Comeback Victory over VCU Wednesday Evening

01/03/2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Behind stellar performances from Grace Townsend and Rachel Ullstrom, the University of Richmond Women's Basketball team completed a key Atlantic 10 Conference comeback win over visiting VCU Wednesday evening, 72-65, inside the Robins Center. With the win, the Spiders improved to 12-3 overall and 2-0 in A-10 play while the Rams fell to 12-2 and 1-1 in conference action. Richmond remains undefeated at home at a 6-0 mark, pushed its home win streak to 13-straight games and snapped a nine-game win streak for VCU.

Richmond Starters
Budnik, Doogan, Ryan, Hill, Townsend

How it Happened
The Rams jumped out to a 7-0 lead before Addie Budnik opened the scoring for Richmond with a jumper. VCU then recorded back-to-back buckets for a 12-2 lead with 6:35 left in the quarter. Budnik then posted five points to cut the deficit to 12-7 , but the opposition immediately rebuilt the lead with a 5-0 run. Laren VanArsdale ended the scoring drought off a free throw and a layup, while Ullstrom posted a trey to bring the Spiders within six, 19-13. VCU then went on a 4-0 run to end the first quarter up 23-13.

After a layup from VCU opened the second quarter, Maggie Doogan recorded a jumper, sparking a 7-0 run to cut the Ram lead to 25-20. Townsend posted a trey with 6:09 left to bring the Spiders within four, 27-23, but the opposition responded with a layup to push the lead back to six, 29-23. Later, a pair of free throws from Townsend put Richmond within two, 31-29 with 2:13 left in the half, but VCU continued to put pressure on the Spider defense with a 5-2 run to end the half leading 36-31.

Out of the break, the two teams exchanged points throughout the opening minutes before a trey from Townsend kept Richmond within five, 41-36 with eight minutes left in the third quarter, and posted another trey three minutes later for a 43-39 VCU lead. After VCU rebuilt its lead to eight, 49-41, Budnik netted a triple to cut the deficit back down to 49-46. The Rams were then able to go on a 5-0 run for a 54-46 lead while Ullstrom ended the third quarter with a layup to send Richmond into the final 10 minutes down 54-48.

Ullstrom continued her offensive power in the final quarter as she posted back-to-back layups in addition to a trey to bring Richmond back within four, 61-57. After a jumper from VanArsdale, Doogan was able to cut the VCU lead to one, 62-61 off free throws, and took the lead off another mid-range jump shot, 63-62. VCU regained the lead off a triple, but Doogan was able to tie the game at 65, and Townsend gave Richmond back the lead off three points of her own. Budnik and Townsend then combined for four points off free throws to put Richmond into the win column, 72-65.

Inside the Box Score

Townsend paced the team with 21 points, posting her 48^thcareer game in double figures, and third 20-point game of her career, second this season. She brought her career-point total to 959.
Three other Spiders finished the game in double-figures, Ullstrom (20 pts), Budnik (12 pts) and Doogan (10 pts).
Doogan led the team with seven rebounds and a career-high eight assists.
As a team, the Spiders shot 27 of 53 (50.9%) from the field, 9 of 26 (34.6%) from deep and 9 of 10 (90%) from the charity stripe. In addition, the team posted 28 rebounds, 20 assists, six blocks and 15 points off 12 Ram turnovers. The Spider bench also posted 29 points, led by Ullstrom.
The all-time record against VCU moved to 47-44 in favor of the Rams.
Head Coach Aaron Roussell recorded his 77^th win at Richmond, and the program's 992^nd.
Richmond posted its first home win against VCU since 2018.

Up Next
The Spiders are set to travel to Philadelphia on Saturday, as the team takes on Saint Joseph's at 2 p.m. Richmond will then play host to Massachusetts on Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. for Education Day and then Rhode Island on Jan. 14 at noon inside the Robins Center.