University of Richmond Athletics
Wednesday, January 7
St. Bonaventure, NY
7:00 PM
University of Richmond
12-4,2-1Atlantic 10
89
at
80
St. Bonaventure
11-4,0-2Atlantic 10
1
2
F
Richmond
40
49
89
St. Bonaventure
37
43
80
Spiders Sweep NY Road Trip with Statement Win at St. Bonaventure
01/07/2026 | Men's Basketball
RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Spiders ran past St. Bonaventure for a signature win Wednesday, beating the Bonnies 89-80 to capture their first victory at the Reilly Center since 2015. The Spiders shot 53% from the field and 42 percent from three-point range as they scored the most points by a visiting team in the Reilly Center since Nov. 27, 2021 (Northern Iowa).
"St. Bonaventure is obviously one of the best defenses in the league year in and year out and so well coached," said Spiders coach Chris Mooney. "But I thought in the first half we were really able to move the ball, really able to get ourselves moving and get them chasing a little bit."
St. Bonaventure's only lead of the game came at 5-4 three minutes into the contest. The Spiders answered with a 15-7 run to gain control midway through the first half.
Richmond led 40-37 at intermission and opened the second half with seven straight points to stretch its lead to double digits at 47-37. The Bonnies would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way as UR held on to improve to 12-4 overall and 2-1 in the Atlantic 10.
"What I really liked is how we still got transition baskets as the game went on," said Mooney. "We were able to score and push the pace, get guys good shots, and I thought we really, really played a great offensive game."
Richmond's 28 fast-break points were one shy of its season high and 23 more than St. Bonaventure scored in transition.
"We really wanted to see if we could run, run, run just to make it a little bit difficult for [Bonnies center Frank Mitchell]," said Mooney.
"I feel like I thrive in transition. I just feel like when [Coach Mooney] gives us that freedom it gives us nothing but good energy and the ability to make mistakes and play free," said Spiders guard AJ Lopez, who scored many of his 19 points on the break. "It's really hard to guard."
The only Spider to outshine Lopez was guard Will Johnston, who finished with 24 points, all in the second half. It was Johnston's third-straight 20-point effort and the second in row in which he scored all of his points after halftime, after finishing with 20 in UR's win at Fordham on Sunday.
"He was really impressive. I think Will has certainly been just electric here the last two games," said Mooney. "I had said he played a flawless second half against Fordham and he was great tonight again."
Center Mike Walz helped the Spiders win the rebounding battle 39-35 by grabbing 10 boards, matching a season high. He also added three assists, tied for most among Spiders, and a team-high two blocks.
The win snapped a six-game losing streak for the Spiders in the Reilly Center and moved UR to 3-1 on the road this season after the Spiders won just two road games all of last season.
UR will return to Richmond Wednesday evening after spending the last five days in New York.
"It's really a pleasure spending time with this group. They're very funny. Always light-hearted, but then competitive when they need to be," said Mooney. "I joked with them that we were staying another couple nights."
"This is a great bonding experience," said Lopez. "It helped the team come together as one."
Up next for the Spiders is a home matchup with Saint Joseph's on Sunday at noon. The game will be televised nationally on USA Network.
"St. Bonaventure is obviously one of the best defenses in the league year in and year out and so well coached," said Spiders coach Chris Mooney. "But I thought in the first half we were really able to move the ball, really able to get ourselves moving and get them chasing a little bit."
St. Bonaventure's only lead of the game came at 5-4 three minutes into the contest. The Spiders answered with a 15-7 run to gain control midway through the first half.
Richmond led 40-37 at intermission and opened the second half with seven straight points to stretch its lead to double digits at 47-37. The Bonnies would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way as UR held on to improve to 12-4 overall and 2-1 in the Atlantic 10.
"What I really liked is how we still got transition baskets as the game went on," said Mooney. "We were able to score and push the pace, get guys good shots, and I thought we really, really played a great offensive game."
Richmond's 28 fast-break points were one shy of its season high and 23 more than St. Bonaventure scored in transition.
"We really wanted to see if we could run, run, run just to make it a little bit difficult for [Bonnies center Frank Mitchell]," said Mooney.
"I feel like I thrive in transition. I just feel like when [Coach Mooney] gives us that freedom it gives us nothing but good energy and the ability to make mistakes and play free," said Spiders guard AJ Lopez, who scored many of his 19 points on the break. "It's really hard to guard."
The only Spider to outshine Lopez was guard Will Johnston, who finished with 24 points, all in the second half. It was Johnston's third-straight 20-point effort and the second in row in which he scored all of his points after halftime, after finishing with 20 in UR's win at Fordham on Sunday.
"He was really impressive. I think Will has certainly been just electric here the last two games," said Mooney. "I had said he played a flawless second half against Fordham and he was great tonight again."
Center Mike Walz helped the Spiders win the rebounding battle 39-35 by grabbing 10 boards, matching a season high. He also added three assists, tied for most among Spiders, and a team-high two blocks.
The win snapped a six-game losing streak for the Spiders in the Reilly Center and moved UR to 3-1 on the road this season after the Spiders won just two road games all of last season.
UR will return to Richmond Wednesday evening after spending the last five days in New York.
"It's really a pleasure spending time with this group. They're very funny. Always light-hearted, but then competitive when they need to be," said Mooney. "I joked with them that we were staying another couple nights."
"This is a great bonding experience," said Lopez. "It helped the team come together as one."
Up next for the Spiders is a home matchup with Saint Joseph's on Sunday at noon. The game will be televised nationally on USA Network.
Team Stats
UR
SBU
FG%
.527
.451
3FG%
.421
.286
FT%
.767
.615
RB
39
35
TO
10
7
STL
7
1
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
9
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
6
St. Bonaventure Postgame
Wednesday, January 07
Men's Basketball Postgame - Fordham
Sunday, January 04
Men's Basketball Postgame - George Washington
Wednesday, December 31
Men's Basketball Highlights vs. George Washington
Wednesday, December 31