Live blog: Richmond vs. Howard

Anthony dribbles the clock out and Richmond wins 54-41. Jones led the Spiders with 11 points. Nelson-Ododa's presence on defense made it difficult for Howard to get any clear looks around the rim. This was not an offensively smooth game for either team, but Richmond was able to muscle its way to victory. 

2:11 -- Taylor dives on the ground for a loose ball and Anthony pulls the ball out to set up the Spider offense. Allen attacks the Howard defenders and is fouled. Allen knocks down both foul shots. 

In the second half, Howard is shooting the ball 14.3 percent and have gone 0-5 from beyond the arc. Richmond is shooting the ball 26.3 percent and 25 percent from deep range. 

3:46 -- At the final media timeout Richmond leads Howard 49-39.

4:29 -- Nelson-Ododa pins a shot to the backboard and sprints down the court for two transition points. 

5:25 -- Richmond has clear looks at the basket but players are hesitant to let the ball fly. A passive offense leads to a turnover and two points for Howard. 

8:28 -- Spiders force another Bison turnover and at the other end Jone's finds the bottom of the net on a corner three-pointer. 

Howard is out rebounding Richmond 28-18, but the Spiders have been able to force 15 turnovers so far. 

11:27 -- The game is getting physical and the refs are letting both teams play. In the last few possessions neither team has been able to convert a field goal. Spiders lead the Bison 37-31.

12:45 -- Great ball movement from the Spiders lead to a baseline jumper for Cline that is good for two points.  

15:27 -- Nelson-Ododa comes over from weak-side help and sends a floater into the student section. 

17:40 -- Anthony makes the Spiders' first field goal of the second half. He steps into a shot at the top of the key and it is good for three points. 

18:22 -- In the first few possessions both teams are struggling to find any rhythm offensively. The last few times down the court, Richmond and Howard have put each other on the free throw line.  

Howard made a run late in the first half to close on Richmond's lead but still trails going into the second half. At halftime, the Spiders lead Howard 28-23. Richmond is playing aggressive this evening and taking the ball to the rim with confidence. The team who can continue to compete for the last 20 minutes in this fast and physical game will be in control of the outcome this evening. 

:02 -- With two seconds remaining in the first half, Richmond head coach Chris Mooney calls a time out. Cline cannot convert the half court shot which sends us into half time. 

1:38 -- Anthony finds Nelson-Ododa at the opposite block who throws the ball down over a Howard defender. A Howard player responds with a steal and a transition dunk of his own.

3:24 -- At the last media time out in the first half the Spiders lead 26-18. Richmond is attacking the rim and moving the ball well, but Howard is staying in the game by crashing the boards. 

6:04 -- A strong take to the basket for Taylor will send him to the foul line to shoot two after the media time out. Spiders lead 24-13. 

9:24 -- Count the basket for Allen who muscles his way into the paint and finishes at the rim. A 7-0 run by the Spiders forces Howard's coach to call a time out. 

11:51 -- At the under 12-minute media time out the Spiders lead the Bison 17-7. Richmond already has five assists as their offense is looking very smooth early in the game. 

14:50 -- Davis finds Nelson-Ododa for a dunk off of a great cut to the basket. 

15:59 -- S. Jones off the bench for the Spiders converts a 3-pointer at the top of the key. 

There have been some changes in the regular starting five for the Spiders. Starting for Richmond is T. Allen, D. Taylor, T.J. Cline, K. Anthony and T. Davis. 

Good evening everyone, my name is Olivia Healy and I will be covering tonight's basketball game between the Richmond Spiders and the Howard Bison. Students who have left for winter break don't worry because you can follow the game as if you were still here! We are about 20 minutes away from game time. Stay tuned!