A10 Quarter-final ticker – Rhode Island vs. Richmond

The 35th annual Atlantic 10 tournament continues with a Big 5 matchup between Rhode Island and Richmond.  Pickin’ Splinters is court side bringing you scores, stats, analysis, insights – we might even get a quote or two from players or coaches.

Grab a seat on the Pine for the day. Come early. Stay late. Check back often. Make sure to hit your refresh button.

#6 Rhode Island (9-7/19-12) vs. #3 Richmond (13-3/24-7)

Rhode Island won in their only meeting this year, winning 78-74.

 

PROBABLE STARTERS  – Richmond

G 14-Kevin Anderson (6-0, 175, Sr.)
G 3-Darien Brothers (6-3, 200, So.)
F 12-Kevin Smith (6-5, 200, Sr.)
F 32-Justin Harper (6-10, 225, Sr.)
C 41-Dan Geriot (6-9, 230, r-Sr.)

PROBABLE STARTERS – Rhode Island

F 21- Delroy James
F 23- Nikola Malesevic
C 32 -Will Martell
G 05- Marquis Jones
G 10- Akeem Richmond

RICHMOND                              RHODE ISLAND
Games ……………………………………………………31 ………………………………… 31
Overall/Conference Record …………………24-7/13-3 …………………….. 19-12/9-7
Last 5 Games ………………………………………..4-1……………………………….. 3-2
Last 10 Games ………………………………………8-2……………………………….. 6-4
Streak …………………………………………………….Won 4 ………………………….Won 4
Scoring Offense …………………………………….71.2 ……………………………… 69.1
Scoring Defense…………………………………….62.0 ……………………………… 67.3
Scoring Margin ………………………………………+9.2 …………………………….. +1.7
Rebounds ……………………………………………..32.6 ……………………………… 35.2
Opponent Rebounds …………………………….34.9 ……………………………… 36.6
Rebounding Margin ……………………………….-2.3………………………………. -1.4
Field Goal Pct. ……………………………………….47.1 ……………………………… 42.3
Opponent Field Goal Pct. ……………………..40.5 ……………………………… 42.7
3-pt FG % ………………………………………………40.7 ……………………………… 33.1
Opponent 3-pt FG % ……………………………30.5 ……………………………… 32.8
FT % ………………………………………………………69.0 ……………………………… 70.8
Assists ……………………………………………………15.4 ……………………………… 12.2
Turnovers ………………………………………………10.9 ……………………………… 12.4
Opponent Turnovers …………………………….      13.1 ……………………………… 14.4
Steals ……………………………………………………. 6.3 ……………………………….. 6.6
Blocks…………………………………………………….4.0 ……………………………….. 5.9

Okay, off to a better start this game.  Starting lineups are being announced and we are minutes away from starting. Stick around as this might be best of the 4 games and that is saying a lot!

Spiders’ coach Chris Mooney is pleading with officials for foul, but to no avail. At the first media timeout, the Rams lead 7-3.

The Richmond band is ripping through a great rendition of a Bon Jovi song. Earlier it was the Temple band playing Lady GaGa. What are we coming to??

Anderson with the steal and easy bucket. The Spiders have tied it up 7-7.

Richmond got a bucket from Harper – the Spiders lead 9-7.

Lindsay with the acrobatic drive and the Spiders lead 11-9. Media timeout.

Media Timeout and the Richmond Spiders lead Rhode Island Rams, 15-14. 7:39 left in the first half and the main theme so far has been defense.

A steal by the Rams and an easy bucket. The Rams are now ahead 16-15.

An answer by the Spiders and with the 3 pointer they are back ahead 18-16.

Kevin Anderson with the drive  and one!! Hits the free throw for the old fashioned 3 point play. Spiders lead 23-16.

Another media timeout and with 3:34 left in the first half, the Spider lead 23-18.

Both teams can’t buy a bucket right now. Several blocked shots on both ends and we still sit at 23-18 with 23.5 seconds left. Rams timeout.

The Rams with a bucket right before the buzzer and we head to the locker rooms with Richmond leading 23-20.

We have some NBA representation here tonight. Representatives from the Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. Might be a few others here – we will try to uncover those as we go along.

Some Halftime stats:

Both teams had dismal shooting % in the first half – Rhode Island shot 40.9% from the field, while Richmond shot 28.1% from the field.

Richmond had only 1 turnover in the first half, but if you are shooting 28.1% it really isn’t impressive.

Marquis Jones led all the Rams scores with 9 points, and Kevin Anderson led the Spiders with 8.

Richmond was 2-12 from 3 point land and went the last 6 minutes without a field goal.  Can’t continue if they want to move on.

Just like that Justin Harper starts the half off with a 3, Spiders lead 26-24.

One of two from the free throw line by Justin Harper. The lead is cut to one, 26-25.

Jamal Wilson with the acrobatic tip in and the Rams lead 27-26.

First media timeout of the second half and the Rams lead 28-26. The Spiders cold shooting continues as they have missed their last 4 shots.

Media timeout and the Spiders are back on top, 34-32.

Justin Harpers throws it down!! The Rams want a timeout as Coach Baron is trying to put the brakes on a Spiders run. Richmond leads 38-32.

Not sure if Richmond fans had to travel the farthest, but they have traveled well and they are LOUD!

Francis Martel with a thunderous throwdown off a rebound and the Spiders have increased their lead to 41-32.

But the Rams respond with a bucket and one by Delroy James!!

James misses a much need free throw and the Richmond lead sits at 41-34.

Marquis Jones hit a much needed 3 to trim the Spider lead to 4, 41-37.

Kevin Smith responds with a bucket to put the lead back up to 6, 45-39.

Loose ball on the floor and Richmond some how gets a timeout. Coach Baron and the Rams are not happy with the call.

Still we have timeout and Richmond leads 47-42.

A pair of free throws by Kevin Anderson and the lead is extended to 7, 49-42.

Richmond faithful stand and cheer as we come down to a minute left.

Kevin Anderson with a dagger!! Richmond faithful are rewarded as Anderson hits a 3 to extend the lead to 10, 52-42.

The Rams won’t go away a 3, but with 15.7 seconds left it appears to be too little, too late.

Kevin Anderson hits both free throws and with 9.7 seconds left it appears that the Spiders are moving on 55-45.

It is over! Spiders win 55-45 and move on to play tomorrow!