The Collegian
Friday, March 29, 2024

Men's basketball comes through in overtime to beat Hofstra

University of Richmond outscored Hofstra University 16-5 in overtime on its way to a 74-63 win Tuesday night at the Robins Center.

Richmond did not lead until overtime and Hofstra won most statistical categories. Hofstra led by as many as 11 points midway through the second half.

Once again, Richmond struggled to shoot from three-point range, going 8-26 from the three-point line. Following suit to Minnesota, Hofstra used a tight zone defense that kept the Spiders out of the paint and allowed them to shoot long jump shots. Minnesota used a 2-3 zone when it went on a 19-0 run in the final 7:26 of Saturday's 74-59 win over Richmond.

After the game, Richmond head coach Chris Mooney said he had been relieved, but that he had wished his team had taken more two-point shots.

"It's good to see us respond, because we didn't feel very good about our Minnesota game," Mooney said.

Cedrick Lindsay led Richmond with 26 points and Kendall Anthony added 18. No other Spider scored more than seven points.

"[Lindsay] picked his spots; he talked guys through cuts," Mooney said. "For a point guard to have 26 points, that's a luxury ... that's nice to have."

Hofstra's Zeke Upshaw led all scorers with 37 points. He also had nine rebounds.

"He killed us tonight," sophomore forward Trey Davis said. "We can't let someone come in our gym and beat up on us like that."

Davis had six points and 10 rebounds, but he contributed in other areas. Davis' defense helped ignite the Spiders' comeback and he blocked a floater at the end of regulation that would have given Hofstra the win had it gone in.

"We call him 'Fright Train' because once he gets going you can't stop him," Lindsay said of Davis.

The Spiders were out-rebounded, 44-37, and Hofstra was more efficient in its free-throw shooting, going 24-33 compared to Richmond's 14-26. Richmond made up for its poor shooting and rebounding in its defensive pressure. The Spiders forced 19 turnovers while committing eight.

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

"It seems when there's a ball in two teams' hands, we come up with our share," Mooney said.

Hofstra led at the half, 33-24, partially thanks to superior shooting. Hofstra shot 52.1 percent from the field to Richmond's 37.5 percent in the first half.

Hofstra maintained its lead for much of the second half, but a quick 9-0 run sparked by Davis' hustle tied the game at 51 with five minutes left. Hofstra regained the lead for much of the last five minutes, but a three-point play from Derrick Williams tied the game at 58 with 48 seconds remaining.

Davis missed the front end of a one-and-one with 12 seconds left that would have given the Spiders the lead, but he responded with his crucial blocked shot. "I was really mad about missing that free throw," Davis said. "I had to find a way to make it up on the next play."

A 7-0 run in a two-minute stretch and timely foul shooting helped the Spiders pull away in overtime.

Richmond will play No. 24 University of North Carolina Saturday at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., as part of the Hall of Fame Tip Off. The Spiders will play either No. 3 Louisville or Fairfield Sunday.

"It's a great opportunity," Mooney said. "We feel like we let an opportunity slip threw our fingers on Saturday, to be honest, and this is an even bigger one."

Contact reporter Jack Nicholson at jack.nicholson@richmond.edu

Support independent student media

You can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking the button below, which takes you to our secure PayPal account. The page is set up to receive contributions in whatever amount you designate. We look forward to using the money we raise to further our mission of providing honest and accurate information to students, faculty, staff, alumni and others in the general public.

Donate Now