Dayton Slips by Spiders

Tuesday, March 3

Robins Center

7:00 PM

University of Richmond

15-15,5-12Atlantic 10

Dayton

21-9,12-5Atlantic 10

Team	1	2	F
Dayton	40	25	65
Richmond	32	28	60

Jaden Daughtry drives to the basket for a layup

03/03/2026 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Mooney & Walz Postgame Instant Highlights

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Spiders managed to dig out of a deep hole they dug for themselves early in the game, but lacked the execution to finish off what would have been a signature comeback win Tuesday night at the Robins Center. Dayton raced out to 17-5 lead over the game's first six-plus minutes and then, after the Spiders fought back to tie the game late, scored the final five points to escape with a 65-60 win.

For the second straight game, the Spiders, who awoke last Saturday morning ranked 33rd in the nation in three-point shooting percentage, were off target from deep, as UR equaled a season-low with just four three-pointers in 23 attempts. Richmond's 17% shooting from three-point range was its lowest in a game since Nov. 13, 2024 at Charlotte (3-21, 14%).

"We've shot the ball really poorly. It's probably extra important for us, because we don't get quite as many two-point baskets as we would like to," said Spiders coach Chris Mooney. "I thought the shot were good. We've got to keep practicing and keep being confident and just try to get that part fixed."

The loss evened Richmond's record at 15-15 and dropped UR to 5-12 in A-10 play this season.

AJ Lopez led Richmond with 15 points and was the only Spider to hit multiple three-pointers, going 2-7 from deep. Jaden Daughtry scored 11 points and Mike Walz added 10 along with a team-high nine rebounds and a team-high four assists. Richmond's six total assists were its fewest since Nov. 20, 2023 vs Colorado (also six).

Dayton opened the game on a 12-2 run, forcing Richmond to call a timeout just 4:10 into the contest. The Flyers led 40-32 at intermission behind stellar shooting from the field (57%) and three-point range (7-14).

After battling for nearly 30 minutes of game time, the Spiders finally tied the game at 56 with 5:53 remaining following an 8-0 run that included three buckets from Daughtry, who repeatedly found his way into the paint against the Dayton defense.

Following four straight points from the Flyers, Richmond answered with a pair of free throws from Lopez and a pull-up jumper from Will Johnston that tied the game at 60 with 1:51 remaining. The Spiders forced a turnover on the ensuing possession, one of 16 for the Flyers, but missed a pair of three-pointers that would have given them their first lead of the game. Dayton converted on the other end to regain the lead, and Richmond wasn't able to respond, as UR missed its final six shots from the field.

"We had 17 more field goal attempts [than Dayton]," said Mooney. "If you get that many more shots, you need to be able to capitalize on those."

"It's not Xs and Os. It's just putting the ball in the basket," said Walz.

The Spiders will wrap up the regular season Saturday at Duquesne. The game will tip at 2 PM and be broadcast on ESPN Plus.