Spiders best Ramblers in first ever A-10 meeting

The University of Richmond men’s basketball team defeated Loyola University Chicago 74-71 on Feb. 11. 

After a loss in double overtime away against George Washington University on Feb. 8, the Spiders bounced back and emerged victorious in a sold-out game at the Robins Center. 

This was UR’s first time competing against the Ramblers since Loyola Chicago joined the Atlantic 10 Conference this season. The last time the two teams played was in 2018 when the Spiders defeated the Ramblers in a similar fashion, 75-73.

This game also marked the program’s annual alumni celebration which saw the return of recent alumni Grant Golden, Nick Sherod and Sullivan Kulju. 

“I feel like Richmond basketball is something special where there are lots of guys who have been here four and five years, six years and they love Richmond,” UR head coach Chris Mooney said in reference to the alumni returning. “They love the basketball program, they love Richmond, there’s a connection between the current players and the alums.”

The game started back and forth as the lead changed four times and was tied twice throughout the first 7:48.

While the game remained back and forth as both the Spiders and Ramblers went on alternating scoring runs, the Spiders held on to the lead from the 12:12 mark of the first half all the way until the final buzzer sounded. 

The Spiders led for the entire second half and within the first minute, led by 12 points. However, the Ramblers made it a game and continued to keep the deficit within reach. 

With eight seconds to go in regulation, the Spiders led by only one point, 71-70, but after two free throws from graduate forward Matt Grace, a free throw from senior forward Tyler Burton, who celebrated his 23rd birthday, and an offensive rebound by graduate guard Andre Gustavson, the Spiders pulled off the conference victory, 74-71. 

This win brings UR’s record back to .500 at 13-13, with a 6-7 conference record and an 11-3 record at the Robins Center. 

“I think we’re maturing,” Gustavson said. “I would say that. And then I would also say that I feel like the guys know now what it feels like winning games like this, that as long as we’re good on defense, create turnovers, we give ourselves a chance to win.”

Graduate forward Zae Bigelow did not play as he was ruled out for the game with a sprained right foot. Junior guard Dji Bailey left the game at the 8:20 mark of the first half but reentered the game with 1:37 left after he was checked for a concussion. Senior center Neal Quinn left the game at the 6:34 mark with an apparent ankle injury and did not return.

Despite the injuries, the Spiders prevailed, thanks to strong contributions from players like Gustavson, who finished with 15 points and sophomore guard Jason Roche, who finished with 13 points off the bench. Burton led all UR scorers with 23 points, his 12th game this season with 20 or more points.

“I feel like the guys trust each other,” Gustavson said. “I feel like the mentality in the team is next man up.” 

UR has five games remaining against La Salle University, Saint Louis University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Saint Joseph’s University and George Mason University, respectively. With the win against Loyola Chicago, the Spiders sit at 11th place in the A-10 conference.

UR’s next game is away against La Salle University at 7 p.m. Feb. 15. 

Contact sports editor Jimmy James @jimmy.james@richmond.edu