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UR Women in NIT quarterfinals



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Richmond.com
Monday, March 24, 2003

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Senior Elise Ryder (Dayton, Ohio) hit two free throws with 14 seconds remaining to lead the University of Richmond women's basketball team to a 56-53 win over Saint Joseph's University in WNIT second-round action Sunday afternoon at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse. The Spiders, advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time ever, improve to 21-10 while the Hawks end their season with a 19-11 mark.

Kate Flavin (Englewood, Colo.) recorded her 16th double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Ebony Tanner (Garner, N.C) led the Spiders with 13 points and freshman Araceli Gil (Santa Barbara, Calif.) also reached double-digits in the scoring column with ten points. Both Gil and senior Cammy Desmond (Midlothian, Va.) dished out four assists.

Saint Joseph's was led by Erin Brady's 20 points and Stephanie Graff contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks.

The Hawks scored the game's opening points but Richmond evened the score a minute later and controlled the lead for the remainder of the first half. The Spiders used an 11-4 scoring run to take a 21-10 advantage with 8:52 left in the period. Richmond would not score again until four minutes later though allowing, the Hawks to cut the deficit to five (21-16). The teams exchanged baskets throughout the final five minutes of action and the Spiders held a 27-23 halftime lead.

A lay-up from Brady tied the score at 30 with 17:35 on the clock. Two minutes later the Hawks took their first lead since the game's opening minute off a fast-break lay-up after a Richmond turnover. Richmond retook the lead with just over ten minutes remaining and the lead flip-flopped during the next seven minutes. Gil hit a three-point basket with less than ten seconds on the shot-clock to even the score at 51-51 with 2:45 left in regulation. A stifling Richmond defense caused a Hawk turnover and Gil connected on her second three to give the Spiders a three-point advantage with just over one minute remaining.

Tanner blocked a Saint Joseph's shot attempt with one minute left but the Hawks regained possession. A Spider foul sent Brady to the line for the bonus and she connected on both to cut the Richmond lead to one. Ryder was fouled on the inbound pass and she hit both the one-and-one opportunities to put the Spiders back up by three with 14 seconds on the clock. Saint Joseph's got two shots off but both fell short and the Spiders pulled out the 56-53 win.

The Spiders face Auburn on Wednesday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m.

For more Spiders sports news, visit www.RichmondSpiders.com.

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