Richmond wins season opener against Western Carolina

The University of Richmond women's basketball team defeated Western Carolina University 65-42 in its season opener on Friday.

Junior guard Brittani Shells led all scorers with a 16-point and four-steal performance. Redshirt juniors guard Kara Powell and forward Katie Holzer returned after injuries sidelined them for the 2008-2009 season. Sophomore forward Joyous Tharrington, who missed the last 12 games of the 2008-2009 season, also returned for the Spiders.

Richmond entered the game coming off a 24-10 season. The team received two votes in the USA Today/ESPN women's basketball preseason coaches poll.

Western Carolina was also coming off a successful 21-12 season, which featured a Southern Conference championship and an NCAA tournament appearance.

Richmond won the tip and scored the first four points of the game, as Tharrington broke the ice with a two-point jumper and Shells scored off one of her four steals. The Catamounts rallied to a 4-4 tie, but would not take the lead for the remaining 37 minutes of the game.

At the half Richmond led 33-19, shooting 44 percent from the field. Shells entered the locker room with 14 points and two steals and teammate Kara Powell finished the half with eight points - shooting 3-3, including two 3-pointers - as well as three steals and two rebounds.

Richmond opened the second half with a 15-4 run, giving the team a 48-26 lead, as Powell hit her stride, scoring six points during a five-minute stretch.

With nine minutes remaining, Western Carolina began to full- court press and half-court trap the Spiders. Head coach Michael Shafer was forced to call a timeout, as his team began turning the ball over under the pressure.

"It's good that we got to see [the press]," Shafer said. "We needed it."

But Western Carolina's press proved to be too little too late, as the game ended in a 65-42 victory for the spiders.

Defense was the key to Richmond's success as the Spiders' 14 steals contributed to the Catamounts' 21 turnovers. Shells and Powell stole four apiece, while sophomore guard Abby Oliver stole three of her own.

"[We] just play hard every possession and keep the tempo up," said Powell regarding the team's defensive success.

Powell booked a strong returning performance with 14 points, five rebounds, and four steals.

"Kara's nothing short of miraculous," Shafer said. "To have her performing the way she's been is a story."

Fellow returnees Tharrington and Holzer also recorded solid games. Tharrington scored a career-high 11 points, while Holzer netted seven of her own. Shafer said he couldn't be more proud of all three of the now-healthy players.

The Spiders continue play against George Mason University at 4 p.m. on Monday, November 16.

Contact Collegian reporter Brenton Lewis at brenton.lewis@richmond.edu