Roche Shoots Spiders Past Maine

Wednesday, November 20

Robins Center

7 PM

University of Richmond

2-3,0-0Atlantic 10

Maine

2-3,0-0America East

Maine

Richmond

11/20/2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Mooney and Roche Postgame Instant Highlights

RICHMOND, Va. — In his first start of the season, Jason Roche had perhaps his best game in his three years with the Spiders, leading Richmond with 19 points as UR got a much-needed win over Maine at the Robins Center Wednesday.

Roche scored Richmond's first points on a three-pointer from the wing, added a three-pointer and a foul for a four-point play minutes later, and gave Richmond its first lead with his third three-pointer less than seven minutes into the game.

His corner three-pointer with 3:22 to play was UR's final field goal, and he added three crucial free throws in the final minute to finish with a team-high 19 points, his most since transferring to Richmond from the Citadel prior to the 2022-23 season.

"Jason Roche gave us a great lift [early] and then played a great game," said Spiders coach Chris Mooney. "He's an excellent defender — he's our best frontcourt defender — and he really, really helped us in a big way tonight."

"It does provide a boost for the whole team when we do get off to a hot start, especially from the three-point line considering that we've struggled a little bit in that area," said Roche. "For me, I always keep the same mentality if I'm making shots or missing shots: just do my job."

After trailing 27-25 at halftime, Richmond scored the first eight points of the second half on a layup from DeLonnie Hunt, a three-pointer from Roche, and a three-pointer for Apostolos Roumoglou, who joined Roche in making his first start of the season Wednesday.

Richmond's lead reached double digits at 54-44 with 8:41 to play and the Spiders were never seriously threatened thereafter as they improved to 2-3 and snapped a three-game skid. The win was the 350^th for Chris Mooney at Richmond, making him the 11^th active D-I coach with 350 wins at his current school.

"I'm always just so honored to be at Richmond. I think it's such a special place. It's been so great for my family and we've had so many great players and coaches here," said Mooney. "I appreciate that I've had the opportunity to be here long enough. I'm humbled by that kind of stat because this is a very special place for me and for my family."

Hunt added 15 points for Richmond, with 11 coming at the free throw line, and recorded all four of Richmond's steals.

Jonathan Beagle finished with 12 points while also leading UR in rebounds (eight) and assists (four).

The Spiders registered 10 more rebounds than Maine (39-29), their first game with a double-digit rebounding advantage since Dec. 13, 2022 vs Fairleigh Dickinson (+12). After being held to 25 points in the first half, Richmond totaled 45 points in the second half, its most in any half vs a Division I opponent this season.

"Probably the biggest difference for us is that we just moved more aggressively," said Mooney. "[There was] not quite as much thinking and a little bit more cutting and moving."

"I felt like we had better trust in what we do and our principles on offense and defense. Whenever we stay playing Richmond basketball, good things happen," added Roche.

Richmond will return to action with three games at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Fort Myers, Fla. next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.