Defensive Lapses Cost Spiders at William & Mary

Wednesday, December 18

Williamsburg, VA

7 PM

University of Richmond

4-7,0-0Atlantic 10

William & Mary

5-6,0-0CAA

Richmond

William & Mary

Chris Mooney walks in front of his bench

12/18/2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — William & Mary ran its way past Richmond Wednesday in Williamsburg, with the Tribe hitting 13 three-pointers and shooting 52 percent from the field in a 93-87 win. W&M's fast-paced attack spoiled a stellar offensive effort from the Spiders, who shot 54 percent from the field, their highest in a loss in more than nine years (57 percent in a loss to VCU in 2015 A-10 Tournament).

"Whether it's our ball pressure or ability to be active on defense, we're not putting enough tension into the game defensively," said Spider coach Chris Mooney. "That's the thing we need to be better at. When are there opportunities to be a little bit more active and when are there opportunities to put a little bit more pressure on the ball and make it difficult for the other team?"

The loss dropped Richmond to 4-7 on the season. The Spiders were led by Dusan Neskovic, who scored a game-high 20 points for his 14^th career 20-point game and first as a Spider.

A 10-2 run towards the end of the first half gave Richmond a 36-27 lead with four minutes to play in the opening period. But the Tribe responded with 11 straight points to regain the lead. Apostolos Roumoglou's corner three-pointer — one of five for the Spiders forward on the night — gave Richmond a 41-38 lead at intermission.

"What we wanted to do, especially in the first half, was come down, break the press, and then run our offense. I thought we could shoot a high percentage and get very good shots and try to control the game from that aspect," said Mooney.

The Tribe increased the pressure from their full-court press in the second half, building a 62-52 lead, but the Spiders answered. Jonathan Beagle tied the game at 67 with a free throw with 6:36 to play. Moments later, another three-pointer from Roumoglou put the Spiders ahead 72-69.

Tribe guard Gabe Dorsey answered with a three-pointer to tie the game with 5:30 on the clock, then put W&M back in front with a three-pointer 19 seconds later following a fast break layup by Richmond's Mikkel Tyne.

"When you're playing that fast that split second it takes you to recognize 'that's a shooter I'm closing out to rather than a driver' can make you pay and tonight they did because they shot so well," said Mooney.

Richmond's one poor offensive stretch came at the worst possible time, as UR missed its next seven shots from the field to allow William & Mary to pull away.

Beagle added 17 points and a team-high six rebounds for Richmond, while Hunt finished with 17 points and seven assists, matching his career high.

Roumoglou scored 15 points and shot 5-5 from three-point range as four Spiders reached the 15-point mark for the first time since February 22, 2022 vs George Washington (Tyler Burton, Nathan Cayo, Jacob Gilyard, Grant Golden).

Richmond has now dropped three straight games, equaling its longest losing streak in the last two seasons.

"We have to continue to get better," said Mooney. "Offensively, we've been much better the last two games. That's positive. We've shot the ball better a little bit. That's positive. We just need to put these things together. The challenge with new players is in the games. We've practiced well and lifted weights well. Those kinds of things are important. They're critical. But in the game, that's the key. How much can you do in the games?"

The Spiders final game before their holiday break will be Saturday vs VMI in the Robins Center. The game will tip at 6 PM and can be seen on MASN and ESPN Plus.