The Collegian
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Women's basketball to host Atlantic 10 opponents

With 15 wins so far, the University of Richmond women's basketball team will take on the University of Massachusetts on Jan. 24 and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Jan. 27.

Both games will be at home, completing the team's three-game stretch of Atlantic 10 games in the Robins Center. The game against Charlotte will be tough, said sophomore Brittani Shells, who leads the team in scoring.

"We lost to Charlotte last year," Shells said. "They're not returning any key players, but they're still highly ranked."

University of Richmond women's basketball coach Michael Shafer agreed.

"Charlotte's team is very, very athletic," he said.

Charlotte's inside players, Danielle Burgin, demands attention because she is talented, he said.

The team played well against the University of Massachusetts at Amherst last year, Shells said.

"We beat them by like 20 points," she said.

Although Richmond defeated Massachusetts last year 86-63, Shafer said the game would still be difficult for the team.

"[UMass] defends very well," Shafer said. "They have a dribble and drive offense that puts our defense in a tough spot." Richmond's team will try not to foul during this game, he said.

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

Richmond's women's basketball team has been back on campus since Dec. 26. The last game before break was on Dec. 22 versus Drexel University, Shells said. Richmond defeated Drexel 73-60.

When the students on campus are gone, it's a good time for basketball, Shafer said. The team has no worries, no classes and no homework so the coaches have the players' full attention, he said.

"It's a good bonding time," Shafer said.

Shells is most excited to play St. Louis University on March 1, she said.

"We've lost to them three years in a row," she said. "It's a game that we should win, but keep losing."

St. Louis has been a thorn in the team's side, Shafer said.

The team is also looking forward to playing Xavier, one of the toughest teams in the A-10 conference, on Feb. 1.

"We've lost to Xavier and they'll give us a run," Shells said. "If we beat them, anything can happen."

Contact reporter Ryan Clark at ryan.clark@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