Lack of Energy Hurts Spiders

RICHMOND, VA —

The Richmond Spiders were defeated by VCU in the 1st of 2 meetings this season by a score of 87-68.  This game felt eerily similar to the Dayton loss a few days ago.  Richmond hung around in the 1st half, but had another slow start to the final frame.  It’s hard to win conference games, especially in a hostile environment when you don’t piece a solid 40 minutes together.  Bones Hyland was the star for the Rams, as he went 5-6 from deep, scoring 15 on the night.  Grant Golden had a much better game offensively than he did vs the Flyers, as he scored 24 in the Richmond loss.  VCU came into this one shooting 34.8% from deep, but decided to get hot tonight. The Rams went 10-21 from deep, which was ultimately Richmond’s downfall.

Slow Starts

As I referenced earlier, this game felt just like the Dayton game.  Richmond gives up a lot without scoring a lot to start the game as well as starting the 2nd half.  For a game that was tied at the half, it felt that the Spiders lost control early on in the half.  VCU built a 10 point lead with 15:36 left in the final frame.  The Spiders struggled from then on, as VCU was suffocating them on defense.  Jacob Gilyard finished with 10 points and got very few looks.  This was clearly part of Mike Rhodes’ gameplan tonight, and it paid off.  Nick Sherod struggled to get anything going tonight, and finished with 5 points in the defeat.

Ice Cold Shooting

Coming into tonight’s contest, one of the advantages that went their way on paper, was their 3-point shooting.  This wasn’t the case tonight.  Richmond went 3-14 from deep and 22-52 from the field as a whole.  Grant Golden was the positive on the offensive side for the Spiders.  This was a game that would’ve boded very well for Richmond in the A-10 standings, but it did not bury them by any means.  Off shooting nights happen but they just seem to be worse on the road against a bitter rival.

What’s Next?

The George Washington Colonials are up next for Richmond, in a game that will take place this Saturday at the Robins Center.  After that matchup, the Spiders will have a week off before facing Fordham in New York.  As always, be sure to follow everything Richmond Spider basketball on Twitter at @AustinDaisey11 & @A10Talk.  See you Saturday Spider Nation!