Spiders use big first-half and late defense to knock off Northeastern, 70-66.

Richmond loses a double-digit lead once again but manages to hold off CAA opponent Northeastern with hot outside shooting and stout defense, improving to 10-4 on the season.

January 1, 2014; 7:52 AM • by Adam Williams

RECAP

Once again, with the game on the line late, the University of Richmond’s leading scorer, Cedrick Lindsay, rose to the occasion, hit clutch shots from all over the floor, and cemented a tough road victory Tuesday afternoon on the home court of the Northeastern Huskies (3-10). After watching yet another double-digit, second-half lead melt away, the Spiders leaned on their seasoned and fearless senior veteran to break a late tie by hitting a jumper with 1:30 left on the clock. He’d eventually put the game away after a difficult layup through traffic with only 20 seconds remaining.

For the first time all season, Lindsay (18 PTS, 7-12 FG, 2-2 3FG, 2-3 FT) was not alone in his late game heroics. Kendall Anthony got hot late in the second half, scoring seven of his fifteen points (6-10 FG, 3-6 3FG) over a span of just one minute and two seconds. Alonzo Nelson-Ododa (4 BLKS), coming off of his first career double-double, collected a huge offensive rebound off of a missed free throw that allowed Richmond another possession with just five seconds remaining and up three on the scoreboard.

For the second consecutive game, the Spiders were able to find solid production from the post, led by Derrick Williams (12 PTS, 5-6 FG, 2-2 3FG) and Terry Allen (8 PTS, 3-7 FG, 2-4 FT, 6 REBS). Allen, coming off of the bench for the second straight game, has seemed to regain his focus, allowing the game to come to him rather than try and bulldoze his way around the floor. If Williams, Allen, and Nelson-Ododa can continue to provide a scoring threat in the paint, collecting rebounds and loose balls, and contesting shots around the rim on defense, look for the Spiders to make for a solid contender in 2014 A-10 Conference play.

TOP PERFORMER

In his last five games, and for the eighth time already this season, Cedrick Lindsay has tallied 18 points or more and is now scoring 18.7 points per game (third in the A-10). Tuesday afternoon’s effort against Northeastern proved once again that Lindsay is one of the most explosive offensive players in the conference, especially in the clutch, and will undoubtedly be mentioned in A-10 Player of the Year conversations at the end of the season. And it’s not just scoring Lindsay thrives on—he is second in the conference in both assists (4.8) and steals (2.3) per game.

3 STATS

• Before Tuesday’s game, the Spiders had held opponents to 61 points or fewer (in regulation) in eight straight games, and in ten of thirteen games this season. Richmond is ranked 31st in the nation in points per game allowed and 33rd in field goal percentage defense.
• After beating Northeastern, the Spiders are now 5-0 against CAA teams on the season.
• For the third consecutive game, Richmond has shot below 60% from the foul line. Tuesday’s 46.7% mark was easily the Spiders’ worst performance of the season thus far.

LOOKING FORWARD

The Spiders face a daunting task to start the new year as they travel to Gainesville, Florida to take on the 12th ranked Florida Gators (10-2) Saturday at 3:00 PM in their second stop of a four-game road trip. The 2006 and 2007 National Champions have yet to lose on their home court thus far this season, including victories over Kansas and Connecticut—both top 15 teams at the time. The game can be seen on Comcast Sports South and ESPN3, and heard on ESPN 950.

Richmond will then begin A-10 play against St. Bonaventure (9-4) in New York next Wednesday (1/8) at 7:00 PM.

January 1, 2014 7:52 AM 0