Billikens' Late Effort Bests Spiders

Saturday, January 18

Robins Center

2:30 PM

University of Richmond

7-12,2-4Atlantic 10

Saint Louis

11-7,4-1Atlantic 10

Saint Louis

Richmond

Jonathan Beagle and Gibson Jimerson battel for a loose ball

01/18/2025 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Mooney, Beagle Postgame Instant Highlights

RICHMOND, Va. — Saint Louis outscored Richmond 14-3 over the final four-and-a-half minutes to escape the Robins Center with a 63-59 win over the Spiders Saturday. Richmond's loss, its first in its last four games against the Billikens, dropped UR to 7-12 overall and 2-4 in the Atlantic 10.

"Our lack of offense is just putting so much strain on our defense," said Spiders coach Chris Mooney after Richmond failed to score 60 points in regulation for a fourth straight game, its longest such streak since February 2012. "We've just struggled so much on offense to convert and put the ball in the basket."

Richmond's best stretch came during a five-minute period in the second half, when the Spiders outscored the Billikens 18-4 to turn a seven-point deficit into a seven-point lead (56-49) with less than five minutes to play.

But UR missed five of its six shots from the field and committed three turnovers in the game's final 3:34 to allow Saint Louis to win and improve to 4-1 in A-10 play.

"We just didn't execute what coach was telling us. I think the effort was there," said Spiders forward Jonathan Beagle.

"We had a couple of opportunities late with some shots in the lane and some opportunities that we didn't convert. It's just hard to continue to play when you don't get that lift from your offense," added Mooney.

Richmond's late-game struggles wasted a stellar defensive effort, as UR held the Billikens, averaging 76.5 points per game and making a conference-best 48.5 percent of its shots from the field entering the game, to 63 points and 41.5 percent on field goals.

"That's one of the best offensive teams in our league and in the country and we really really fought and made it hard for them. I'm really proud of our defense," said Mooney. "They're extremely hard to defend and we did such a good job, that I think if we had a little bit more energy and a little bit more of a kick from our offense we would have been able to do well."

Richmond was led by Dusan Neskovic, who scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half. It was Neskovic's 18^th career 20-point game and his team-high fifth this season.

Beagle added 12 points and led UR in assists (3) and blocks (3). "I feel like I just realized these past couple of games I just have to help my team out being more aggressive. I haven't been my best self this whole conference season, so I have to help them out," he explained.

Apostolos Roumoglou (nine points, 10 rebounds) finished just shy of his first career double-double.

Richmond will have a midweek bye to prepare for Saturday's home game vs Davidson, which is presented by Richmond MBA. The Spiders will celebrate the first annual Greg Beckwith Alumni Weekend throughout Saturday, with the matchup vs Davidson tipping at 6 PM on MASN and ESPN Plus.

"We're looking forward to having a bye and giving ourselves a chance to have some time to work," said Mooney.