Spiders Reroute Explorers Wednesday Evening, Post 20th-Straight Victory Inside Robins Center

Wednesday, February 21

Richmond, Va.

6 p.m.

University of Richmond

24-4,14-1Atlantic 10

La Salle

7-19,4-11Atlantic 10

La Salle

Richmond

Ally Sweeney passing the ball during a game

Spiders Reroute Explorers Wednesday Evening, Post 20th-Straight Victory Inside Robins Center

02/21/2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Behind Rachel Ullstrom's fifth career game with 20 or more points, the University of Richmond women's basketball team posted a dominating 74-54 win over La Salle Wednesday evening inside the Robins Center. With the win, the Spiders moved to 24-4 overall and 14-1 in Atlantic 10 Conference play and remain a perfect 13-0 at home this season while the Explorers fell to 7-19 on the year and 4-11 in conference play.

Richmond Starters
Budnik, Doogan, Ryan, Hill, Townsend

How it Happened
The Explorers came out of the gate with a purpose, as the team went on a 9-3 run to begin the game. Katie Hill finally found the offensive rhythm for the Spiders with a jumper, which sparked a 9-0 run for Richmond courtesy of efforts by Ullstrom, Grace Townsend and Addie Budnik to put the Spiders ahead, 12-9. Maggie Doogan was able to get two final free throws off for UR to end the first quarter with UR ahead, 14-11.

Hill continued to lead the Spider offense in the second quarter with a layup. Torin Rogers then followed the play with a free throw and Townsend posted a layup of her own for a 19-11 UR lead. After the Explorers scratched back to come within two, 19-17, Doogan and Hill recorded back-to-back treys to rebuild the lead to 25-17. Townsend sparked a 10-0 run following a few quick shots from La Salle to send Richmond into the locker room with a 37-21 lead.

Out of the break, Siobhan Ryan netted a triple and Doogan followed the play with a layup to push the UR led to 20, 41-21. After a lone trey from La Salle, Doogan sparked a 15-0 run for Richmond to build the lead to 32, 56-24. Following a hoop and harm from Ullstrom, the Explorers were able to get two triples off to end the quarter with the Spiders ahead 59-31.

La Salle slowly scratched back at the Spider lead with an 8-0 run, 59-39, before Doogan laid it in for the first two points for UR in the fourth quarter. Ryan then posted two more points for a 63-39 Richmond lead with 4:38 left in the game. After exchanging more points, triples from Ullstrom and Ally Sweeney gave the Spiders a 73-46 lead with 1:40 left on the clock. Ryan would post one final free throw for UR as Richmond rolled to a 74-54 win.

Inside the Box Score

The Spiders were led by Ullstrom, who posted 20 points on 7 of 12 from the field and 5 of 10 from deep. Her five three pointers were the most by a UR player since she posted six against UMass on 1/10/24.
Three other Spiders, Doogan (13), Townsend (12) and Ryan (11) all finished the game in double figures. Budnik led the team with nine rebounds while Townsend posted a team-high six assists and three thefts.
As a team, the Spiders shot 27 of 60 (45%) from the field, 11 of 34 (32.4%) from deep and 9 of 12 (75%) from the charity stripe. In addition, the team posted 46 rebounds, 18 assists, two blocks courtesy of Ullstrom and Budnik, six steals and 14 points off 15 Explorer turnovers.
The Spider bench posted 32 points, led by Ullstrom.
Following the win, the Spiders posted their 20^th-straight home win, dating back to 2022-23, marking the sixth-longest home win-streak of all NCAA D-I schools.
Richmond takes sole ownership of first place in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings at 14-1, following Saint Joseph's (13-2) loss at VCU tonight.

From Head Coach Aaron Roussell and Grace Townsend

Up Next
The Spiders have a tough test on Saturday, as the team takes on George Mason at 3 p.m. in Fairfax, Va. Richmond plays host to Duquesne on Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. for a rematch with the Dukes inside the Robins Center.