The Collegian
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Richmond downs St. Joe's, 78-59, on national television

The University of Richmond women's basketball team won its fourth consecutive home game Saturday, defeating Atlantic 10 rival St. Joseph's University 78-59 in a game televised on CBS Sports Network.

The Spiders won the tip-off, and senior Samantha Bilney scored the first basket. St. Joe's quickly responded with a 3-pointer.

The lead changed throughout the first 10 minutes eight times, but the Spiders closed the first half ahead, 33-25. Richmond dominated the second half, extending its lead to 22 points.

Richmond coach Michael Shafer said he did not expect Richmond to beat St. Joe's by such a wide margin.

"I expected it to go down to the wire," he said. "They are well-coached and a very good team offensively and defensively."

The last time the Spiders beat St. Joe's was in 2007.

"This was a big game," Shafer said. "We've always battled against them."

Shafer said that Richmond's ability to move the ball around and find open shots helped secure the win. Spider guard Abby Oliver agreed.

"We focused the whole game," she said. "We found the open person."

Four Spiders scored in double figures. Oliver led the team with 19 points. Becca Wann finished with 18, Genevieve Okoro had 13 and Liz Brown had 11.

Wann had a double-double, grabbing 10 rebounds. Brown and Okoro followed with 9 and 8 rebounds, respectively.

Oliver said that rebounding contributed to the Spiders' win.

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"Gen and Becca did a really good job rebounding for us," she said.

Oliver, the top free-throw shooter in the nation, was 4-4 from the line. The Spiders finished the game with 70 percent made free-throws.

"Free-throws are a big part of the game," Oliver said. "They can win or lose a game. You have to have confidence when you shoot it."

Richmond improved its record 18-5, 6-3 (A-10). Next, the team will face conference opponent George Washington University on the road at 2 p.m. on Feb. 11.

Contact staff writer Avery Shackelford at avery.shackelford@richmond.edu

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