University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
3-0,0-0Atlantic 10
William & Mary
2-1,0-0CAA
Spiders Board Way to First 3-0 Start Since 2020
11/11/2025 | Men's Basketball
RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond dominated on the backboard and at the foul line in a 90-86 win over William & Mary Tuesday that moved the Spiders to 3-0 for the first time since the start of the 2020-21 season. The Spiders made 35 free throws, three more than in any other game in the Chris Mooney era, and recorded the most rebounds (53) in their 21 seasons under Mooney. 22 of those rebounds came on the offensive end, also a high in the Mooney era, and led to 25 second-chance points for the Spiders.
"The rebounding was critical. If we didn't have that many second-chance points, it would have been a different kind of game," said Mooney.
UR's 53 rebounds were its most in any game since it grabbed 53 in a win vs Mississippi Valley State on November 17, 2003. Jonathan Beagle led the Spiders with 10 rebounds for his 18th career game with 10 or more rebounds but his first in a Richmond uniform. He added 10 points for his first double-double since Jan. 27, 2024 when he was at UAlbany. Mike Walz had nine rebounds to go with his nine points as Richmond's two centers combined for 19 points and 19 rebounds. Collin Tanner added eight rebounds, matching a career best.
Richmond's rebounding helped it offset 15 turnovers, its second most in a win over the last five seasons, as William & Mary's swarming, full-court press challenged the Spiders.
"What we talked about was that you have to attack the pressure, which can be random. It's not the same every time," said Mooney. "But you have to attack when they have all their guys up pressing. You really have to. The only place to go is to try to attack the basket you're shooting at. The more tentative you are, the more the pressure hurts you."
Richmond has now won seven straight home games vs William & Mary dating back to 2005 and is 105-99 all-time vs the Tribe, its most wins against any opponent.
The game featured seven ties and 12 lead changes, with neither team ever holding a lead larger than eight points.
William & Mary's largest lead was a 41-36 advantage late in the first half. But freshman guard Aiden Argabright put the Spiders back in front with a pair of three-pointers over a span of 21 seconds, allowing Richmond to hold a 44-43 lead at halftime.
UR's biggest lead came with 3:05 remaining in the game, when Mikkel Tyne beat the shot-clock buzzer with a fade-away three-pointer to make the score 82-74 Richmond. The Tribe would answer with an 8-0 run over the next two minutes, tying the game at 82 on a three-pointer with 59 seconds to play.
On the ensuing possession, Will Johnston found AJ Lopez streaking to the basket for a go-ahead layup. Following a Tribe turnover, the Spiders again broke the press by finding Lopez downcourt. This time, he laid the ball in and was fouled for a three-point play, putting UR ahead 87-82 with only 36 seconds remaining. Lopez finished with a team-high 18 points.
"I never feel like we lost control of the game," said Lopez. "I always have confidence in my guys. I thought we were going to win since the tip-off."
Lopez was joined in double figures by Johnston, who finished with 16 points and a team-high five assists, and Argabright, who had 15.
Richmond is 3-0 for the fifth time under Chris Mooney, joining 2020-21, 2019-20, 2013-14, and 2006-07. The Spiders will seek to stay perfect next Wednesday when they host VMI at the Robins Center. Tip-off is 7 PM and the game will be broadcast on MASN and ESPN Plus.
