Spiders dominate Rams by 30 points

The University of Richmond women’s basketball team soared past Virginia Commonwealth University in a 77-47 landslide on Jan. 18. 

Operation: Code Red succeeded as 5,228 fans gathered in the Robins Center, surpassing Richmond’s goal of 5,000 attendees. This is the first time in 25 years that a UR women’s basketball game has seen these numbers, according to Richmond Athletics. 

“When we walked out after the huddle to walk to the jumpball, I was looking around and I’m like ‘Maggie, this is insane, the amount of people that are here,”’ senior guard Rachel Ullstrom said in a postgame press conference.

The cross-town rivalry has drawn the city of Richmond to watch sporting events for years, fueling programs at both universities. This time around, the Spiders brought home the victory and broke the series’ 47-47 tie. 

VCU got the first bucket of the contest, but it was all Spider action from there. Ullstrom led the charge, sinking a 3-pointer, stealing the ball and scoring again in 30 seconds. 

The Rams were clumsy on the court, missing easy shots and struggling to hold up against UR. In an effort to clean up plays, VCU called a timeout two and a half minutes into the period, subbing out nearly its entire lineup. 

It did little good as Richmond immediately stole the ball twice, a layup by sophomore guard Alicia Newell bringing the score to 12-2. The Rams finally broke their lull a minute later, but Ullstrom immediately answered with a 3-pointer. 

Another bucket by Ullstrom, the scoreboard reading 17-4, and VCU was in serious trouble. In the coming minutes both teams pulled several players from the bench, trying to adjust to the contest. Back-to-back 3-pointers for Richmond only furthered the score gap, a division that was quickly becoming a ravine. 

Going into the next period, Ullstrom carried a perfect field goal and 3-point percentage, taking charge of the Spider initiative. 

Both teams quickly picked up a turnover and a missed shot before the Rams fouled and sent first-year guard Ava Persichetti to the free-throw line. She made both the shots before a short scoring drought fell over the court. 

Scoring slowed for much of the period but the score gap stayed in place for the most part. Richmond’s field goal percentage swung from 81% to 18% between the periods, a few tough possessions in the last minutes of the half dragging the number down. The Rams made two free throws before the break, though the 22-point deficit was still looming. 

Richmond gained ground gradually over the entirety of the third period, steadily outpacing VCU. Both teams filtered through their rosters, Richmond taking advantage of its first-year class. Outscoring the Rams 19-10 in the period, the Spiders led the game 64-33 at the buzzer.

The game entered a stalemate in the final period that was very similar to the second. It took over two minutes for either team to sink a basket before Richmond went on a six point run.

The Rams picked up momentum in the final minutes of the game, but it was too late. Richmond had the last possession of the game, Persichetti waiting for the clock to hit zero. 

This game also honored National Girls and Women’s in sports day. With many little girls in the stands, the Spiders said they try to be good influences on and of the court every game. 

“A lot of those girls are also our campers so we have a personal connection with them as well. I think that’s huge,’” Ullstrom said. “They think that we’re like the best things ever so it’s good to kind of feel that.” 

Next up, Richmond takes on George Mason University, one of only two teams left in the A-10 with a perfect conference record. This matchup will be vital for the Spiders as the A-10 Championships loom ahead. 

The battle will happen in Fairfax, Va. on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 2:00 p.m. 

Contact sports editor Abigail Finney at abigail.finney@richmond.edu