Sparkling First Half Leads to Spiders Win at GW

Saturday, February 17

Washington, D.C

12:30 PM

University of Richmond

18-7,10-2Atlantic 10

George Washington

14-11,3-9Atlantic 10

Richmond

George Washington

Spiders defenders focus on a GW player driving the ball during a game

02/17/2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score AUDIO: Coach Mooney Postgame AUDIO: Neal Quinn Postgame

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Richmond Spiders fired on all cylinders in the first half Saturday at George Washington, scoring 52 points and building a 15-point lead that gave them more-than-enough cushion to withstand GW's second-half push.

Richmond, which registered three more assists (10) than missed shots (7) in the opening 20 minutes, was led by Neal Quinn early. Quinn, a fifth-year center, made his first seven shots from the floor and scored 14 first-half points.

"It felt great to be out there and make shots," said Quinn. "It felt like everything was going in, mostly because we were doing what we were supposed to. We were doing what we were taught. And we ran our stuff. And when we do that and we're aggressively doing it we're a very good team."

"A big thing for us is Neal, when he's aggressive. And today he was," said Spiders coach Chris Mooney after seeing his team improve to 18-7 overall and 10-2 in the Atlantic 10. "Right away, he scored. The more he scores then the more he can manipulate the defense with his passing and the movement that we have."

In their 90-74 win, the Spiders recorded their most points in a non-overtime road game since January 18, 2020, when they won at George Mason 97-87.

Quinn finished with 19 points and a game-high seven assists, frequently finding teammates for open jump shots or layups.

"Everybody cuts so well. They want the ball, and they know I'll throw it to them if they cut hard enough," said Quinn.

Jordan King scored a game-high 24 points, including 14 in the final 7:16 of the game to seal the win, Richmond's eighth in its last nine games vs GW.

Dji Bailey added 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four dunks. Isaiah Bigelow led UR with nine rebounds to go with 12 points and four assists. Richmond finished with 21 assists, matching a season high, and just four turnovers.

The Spiders are 5-4 on the road this season after going 1-11 in road games last year.

"Winning on the road is very, very difficult," said Mooney. "You have to have composure because things don't go your way on the road — the bounces, the calls. You have to have enough confidence and composure. [The Spiders top players] are older. They've been through these types of things, and therefore they can weather the storm."

"We have a bunch of tough-minded, older guys who have done this before," echoed Quinn.

With a variety of defensive schemes and some timely shot-making, GW was able to whittle Richmond's 15-point halftime lead to as little as four in the second half, pulling within 63-59 with 9:31 to play. But Isaiah Bigelow scored five straight points to start a 15-4 Richmond run that put the Spiders back in control for the final five minutes of the game.

With a 10-2 conference record, Richmond is guaranteed to have a winning record in A-10 play for the fourth time in the last five seasons. UR is also in second place in the conference, a half-game behind 11-2 Dayton.

The Spiders will continue their two-game road trip Wednesday at Rhode Island. Tip-off is 7 PM and the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus.