Feb. 28, 2010

Box Score

ST. LOUIS, M.O. - The Spiders (18-11, 7-7) used a 20-5 second half run to run past Saint Louis 67-59 Sunday afternoon at the Chaifetz Arena. Richmond secured the eighth seed in next week's A-10 Tournament and will play ninth-seeded UMass Friday at noon.

After being knotted 27-all at the break, the Spiders struggled from the field early in the second half, eventually falling 43-33 at the 14:04 mark.

But Richmond used timely shots and turnovers to claw itself back into the game, going on a monstrous 20-5 run over the ensuing nine minutes of play to retake the lead at 53-48 with 5:15 remaining.

In this span, Abby Oliver poured in 10 points, and Brittani Shells nailed three momentum-changing jumpers to fuel the Spiders' fire. Saint Louis fought back to within four twice but could get no closer.

Richmond started the game on a tear, going up 14-4 in the first seven minutes of the game. It was again Richmond's defense that created the offense, as it caused nine Billiken turnovers during this time.

Saint Louis used an 11-4 run to get within 18-15 with 8:19 left. Richmond pushed its lead to 26-19 after a couple of Shells lay-ups. The Billikens used an 8-0 run to close the half to 27-all.

The Spiders' recorded 15 assists with Danielle Bell and Brittani Shells leading the pack at four each.

Shells scored a game-high 25 points--her second-highest point total of the season. Crystal Goring added 12 points, while Oliver chipped in with 10.

The eighth-seeded Spiders will face the ninth-seeded Minutewomen Friday at noon in the opening game of the 2010 A-10 Tournament in Upper Marlboro, Md.