Richmond Spiders Triumph in Electrifying Clash Against American University Eagles

This past Saturday the University of Richmond Spiders women's basketball team hosted the American University Eagles at the Robins Center for the fourth game of the season. 

The Spiders were coming into this game with a 2-1 record after an impressive 80-53 win against the Gardner-Webb University Runnin’ Bulldogs on the road. 

Following the Spiders’ thrashing 105-44 win against the Delaware State University Hornets on Nov. 12, senior guard Siobhan Ryan said in the postgame press conference, “We just proved to ourselves that we could put up a huge number, that any of us can score and that it could be anyone’s night so I think if we go into that with that mentality into any game, we’ve proven to ourself how good we can be and just keep rolling and get these wins.”

 That mentality was on full display against the Eagles, and the squad definitely lived up to her expectations.

In the beginning of the first quarter, the Spiders were off to a bit of a slow start. Eventually, they were able to get on the scoreboard, as senior guard Grace Townsend finished a smooth left handed layup with 6:30 remaining in the first quarter. This was followed by a 3-pointer in the left wing by Ryan to make the game 6-5 Eagles.

From this point on, the Spiders seemed to obtain a scoring rhythm. With 5 minutes remaining in the first quarter, sophomore guard Rachel Ullstrom scored a 3-pointer that ignited the crowd. Soon after, Townsend was able to steal the ball and speed down the court for a fastbreak layup to put the Spiders up 14-13. 

Nearing the end of the first quarter, graduate guard Laren VanArsdale wowed the crowd as she crossed through the Eagles’ defenders, followed by an elegant eurostep and left-handed layup. 

The first quarter came to an end with the Spiders leading 22-15. Ullstrom led the team with 8 points. The Spiders were shooting more efficiently with a field goal percentage of 66% while the Eagles shot 40%.

The Spiders started off the second quarter with a top of the key 3-pointer by senior forward Addie Budnik, which ignited a shift in momentum and propelled the team to a more dominant position. From this point on, the Spiders were able to steadily extend their lead and take firm control of the game.

With 7:19 remaining in the second quarter, the Spiders extended their lead to 31-17. Minutes later, Townsend aggressively took the ball to the hole and finished over an Eagles defender headed into a timeout.

The final score at the end of the second quarter was 41-24 Spiders. The Spiders ended the first half with an impressive 57% field goal percentage. Ryan led the game at the half with 11 points. In the first half, the Spiders restricted the Eagles to an 18% 3-point field goal percentage and a 27% field goal percentage. This showed how the Spiders picked up their defensive pressure in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Townsend showcased remarkable agility, speeding down the court and executing an in-and-out move before skillfully finishing with a left-hand layup at the 8:40 mark. Meanwhile, Ryan continued to emerge as a key player, leading the quarter with 8 points and a solid 2-3 shooting from three, significantly contributing to UR's dominance. This collective effort allowed the Spiders to close out the third quarter with a comfortable lead of 63-33, setting a strong foundation as they headed into the fourth quarter.

Throughout the fourth quarter, the Spiders were able to maintain their sizable lead and continued to showcase entertaining plays. As the fourth quarter was coming to a close, senior guard Kylee Lewandowski scored a fastbreak, jaw-dropping euro step underhanded finish at the rim which electrified the arena and epitomized the Spiders' exhilarating yet commanding performance. 

This spectacular play not only captivated the audience but also served as a fitting climax to a game where UR consistently showcased its superiority, symbolizing its dominance and effectively sealing a memorable victory.

The Spiders won the game 76-44 and now have a record of 3-1 heading into Des Moines, Iowa for the Drake Thanksgiving Invitational Nov. 24. 

Contact sports writer Waleed Said at waleed.said@richmond.edu.