The University of Richmond women's basketball team struggled offensively and was unable to stop the Charlotte 49ers, and lost 64-55 Sunday at the Robins Center.
The loss ended a four-game winning streak for the Spiders and was the last home game for seniors Ryann Dannelly, Sam and Rachael Bilney. The seniors were recognized before the game for their achievements while at Richmond.
The Spiders shot only 34 percent from the field and made only two three-pointers on 18 attempts. The team struggled to make close shots because of the 49ers' height, starting two players 6-foot-3 or taller, coach Michael Shafer said.
"Finishing is hard when you are going up against two 6-foot-4 players," senior forward Sam Bilney said. "Even if they aren't blocking the shots, they are still making them difficult."
Charlotte forwards Amanda Dowe and Jennifer Hailey, who are 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-3, respectively, combined for 21 points and 28 rebounds, with Dowe accounting for 21 rebounds alone.
The score was tied at 17 with just under three minutes to play in the first half. Then the 49ers went on a 10-2 run to finish the period, with an eight-point lead. The Spiders were unable to regain the lead in the second half.
"They guarded us very physically and were always bumping us every chance they got," Rachael Bilney said, "which threw us off of our game a little bit."
The run-and-gun style that Richmond runs is a stark contrast from the inside game that Charlotte likes to use, which provides one of the hardest matchups for the Spiders out of the teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference, Shafer said.
"We like to run in transition, so going up against brute strength is a weak link for our team," Dannelly said.
Becca Wann led the Spiders with 14 points and nine rebounds, with Rachael Bilney adding 13 points and eight rebounds.
The team now has a few days off before heading to the Atlantic 10 tournament next weekend. The tournament schedule will be released later this week, with the Spiders' first game on Friday.
Contact reporter James Riddick at james.riddick@richmond.edu
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