RAMS: Instaclassic VCU-UR game will elevate rivalry

Despite trailing by 7 points with 37 seconds remaining in regulation, University of Richmond forced overtime and beat #19 Virginia Commonwealth University 86-74 in the Robins Center Thursday night.

January 25, 2013; 6:56 AM • by Aaron Williams

Despite trailing by seven points with 37 seconds remaining in regulation, University of Richmond forced overtime and beat #19 Virginia Commonwealth University, 86-74, in the Robins Center Thursday night.

Recap

After the game, coach Chris Mooney talked about the rivalry, “To me…it’s not about anything personal, but it’s important for us to uphold our side of the rivalry.” Richmond did just that, elevating the sometimes lopsided rivalry to new heights with a game that will live in infamy.

Richmond dictated pace in the first half, defended VCU very well, and put Rob Brandenberg, Juvonte Reddic, and Treveon Graham in foul trouble en route to a three-point halftime lead.

VCU was much more assertive in the second half, but Richmond hit a few quick 3-pointers to put the Rams down 52-44 with 11:56 remaining. Despite the adversity, VCU started playing basketball that somewhat resembled HAVOC!

With 5:29 remaining, VCU took the lead and elevated their play further. Coach Smart added, “We got the style of play going really the way we wanted it in the last five minutes of the game.” Trailing by seven points with 37 seconds remaining, Richmond looked unfazed by VCU’s pressure. Cedrick Lindsay drained a jumper. Kendall Anthony used his speed to get an open look and was fouled by Troy Daniels before draining all three free-throws.

Richmond immediately fouled Daniels who only hit one of two. Seconds later Anthony dribbled to the exact same spot on the court and hit a 3-pointer with Troy Daniels closing out on him. Daniels responded with two free throws. With 12 seconds remaining and a 3-point lead, Coach Smart decided not to foul Richmond. The Spiders ran a play designed to get the hot-handed Anthony the ball, but Brothers was forced to take a contested long range 3-pointer with little time remaining. Dagger. Overtime.

After a miraculous comeback against St. Joseph’s, the Rams got a taste of their own overtime medicine. Just as VCU ran all over St. Joseph’s a week ago, Richmond ran all over VCU. The Spiders outscored the Rams 17-5 in overtime, solidifying the 86-74 victory.

The sixth overtime battle in the 67-game series between the two schools, this game is a defining moment early in the tenures of two of the nation’s most respected young coaches. The best part: Richmond visits the Siegel Center on March 6th and a 3rd matchup is possible in the A-10 tournament. Maybe Coach Smart was right when he suggested that Richmond is now a bigger rival than ODU.

This is a tough pill to swallow, but it is an opportunity to grow. Coach Smart incessantly reminds his players, “never accept in a win what you wouldn’t accept in a loss,” but sometimes losing can focus a team.

For many, this game is a reminder of the 2012 Valentine’s day VCU-GMU loss. It hurt, but VCU responded by winning 7 straight games en route to a CAA Championship and the 3rd round of the NCAA Tournament. A year more experienced, with even more talent, it will be interesting to see how the Rams respond this season.

Top performer: Kendall Anthony

26PTS, 3REB, 7-16FG (5-9 3PFG)

KA 2.0 may come off of the bench, but he is a scoring machine. At 5-foot-8, he used his speed to get around Darius Theus and Briante Weber. He also used it in the open court to get good looks, especially in the final 60 seconds of regulation. Mooney added, “Kendall is a really tough little guy, I thought he set the tone for that kind of toughness.” 21 of his points came after halftime when the Spiders needed “that toughness” more than ever. “We never gave up, I think Kendall kind of exemplified that.”

5 stats

• Richmond finished the game on a 30-9 run to hand VCU their first double digit loss since 11/18/11.
• Richmond has beaten eight of their last 13 ranked opponents and four of their last five ranked opponents in the Robins Center.
• VCU finished 3-17 from range. They are now 32-117 (.274) in A-10 play versus 133-369 (.360) out of conference.
• Richmond turned the ball over 13 times. Duke (8 turnovers) is the only VCU opponent to turn over the ball less this season.
• Melvin Johnson tied his career high with 12 points on 5-7 shooting.

Looking forward

Now tied at 4-1 with Xavier and Charlotte, VCU looks to maintain their first place spot in the A-10 with a victory against La Salle in the Siegel Center Saturday night. The game is at 8:00 PM and it will be on CBS Sports Network.

Boxscore

VCU

Player	Min	TP	FG	3FG	FT-FTA	ORPG	RPG	PF	A	TO	Blk	Stl
Juvonte Reddic	31	20	6-7	0-0	8-11	7	10	4	0	4	0	1
Treveon Graham	34	15	4-11	1-3	6-9	6	10	3	0	2	0	1
Darius Theus	36	10	3-7	0-1	4-5	0	3	5	1	1	1	0
Rob Brandenberg	23	8	2-10	1-5	3-4	1	2	5	2	2	1	0
Troy Daniels	35	6	1-5	1-5	3-4	0	3	1	1	2	0	0
Briante Weber	28	0	0-6	0-2	0-0	1	3	3	1	2	1	2
Jarred Guest	11	3	1-3	0-0	1-2	1	1	2	0	0	1	0
Melvin Johnson	18	12	5-7	0-1	2-2	0	1	1	0	0	0	1
DJ Haley	6	0	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0
David Hinton	3	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Team	225	74	22-57	3-17	27-37	16	35	24	5	13	4	5

Richmond

Player	Min	TP	FG-FGA	3FG-3FGA	FT-FTA	ORPG	RPG	PF	A	TO	Blk	Stl
Deion Taylor	24	10	3-5	3-4	1-2	4	6	5	1	1	0	0
Greg Robbins	39	4	2-4	0-0	0-1	2	8	4	3	1	0	0
Alonzo Nelson-Ododa	30	6	3-3	0-0	0-1	1	5	3	0	0	2	1
Cedrick Lindsay	31	13	4-9	0-3	5-5	0	1	3	3	4	0	1
Darien Brothers	37	18	5-16	4-10	4-4	1	3	4	0	2	0	2
Kendall Anthony	27	26	7-16	5-9	7-7	2	3	0	1	1	0	1
Wayne Sparrow	5	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Trey Davis	16	2	1-1	0-1	0-2	0	4	0	0	2	0	1
Terry Allen	16	7	3-4	0-1	1-1	1	7	4	0	0	1	0
Team	225	86	28-58	12-27	18-23	11	37	24	8	13	3	6

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January 25, 2013 6:56 AM 5