A10 Championship Ticker – Dayton vs. Richmond

 

The 35th annual Atlantic 10 tournament continues with the Championship final between Dayton and Richmond. Reporting live from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ,  Pickin’ Splinters is court side bringing you scores, stats, analysis, and insights. We might even get a quote or two from players or coaches.

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

#9 Dayton (7-9/ 20-12) vs. #3 Richmond (13-3/24-7)

During the regular season Richmond won in their only meeting this year, winning 70-61 on January 25th at UD arena.

PROBABLE STARTERS – Dayton

G- #3   Juwan Staten Fr. (6-0, Fr.)
F- #4   Chris Johnson Jr. (6-6, Jr.)
G -#22 Paul Williams Jr. (6-4, Jr.)
F- #33 Chris Wright  Sr. (6-8, Sr.)
F- #44 Josh Benson  So. (6-9, Rs-So.)

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, Rs-Sr.)

TEAM STATISTICS                     UD               OPP
SCORING                                      2211              2131
Points per game                          67.0            64.6
Scoring margin                            +2.4               –
FIELD GOALS-ATT             774-1890   740-1802
Field goal pct                               . 4 1 0          . 4 1 1
3 POINT FG-ATT                      225-629       206-662
3-point FG pct                            . 3 5 8           . 3 1 1
3-pt FG made per game              6.8                6.2
FREE THROWS-ATT                  438-642     445-665
Free throw pct                             . 6 8 2          . 6 6 9
F-Throws made per game           13.3           13.5
REBOUNDS                                       1279         1120
Rebounds per game                      38.8            33.9
Rebounding margin                      +4.8               –
ASSISTS                                              488             420
Assists per game                              14.8          12.7
TURNOVERS                                      449            420
Turnovers per game                      13.6           12.7
Turnover margin                             -0.9               –
Assist/turnover ratio                     1.1               1.0
STEALS                                                 159            165
Steals per game                                  4.8             5.0
BLOCKS                                                    99             118
Blocks per game                                  3.0             3.6

TEAM STATISTICS               RICH        OPP
SCORING                                   1132         1013
Points per game                      70.8         63.3
Scoring margin                        +7.4            –
FIELD GOALS-ATT             395-862     375-904
Field goal pct                           . 4 5 8      . 4 1 5
3 POINT FG-ATT                   129-323   86-279
3-point FG pct                         . 3 9 9       . 3 0 8
3-pt FG made per game           8.1           5.4
FREE THROWS-ATT            213-287     177-251
Free throw pct                          . 7 4 2      . 7 0 5
F-Throws made per game        13.3         11.1
REBOUNDS                                    504         568
Rebounds per game                   31.5        35.5
Rebounding margin                    -4.0           –
ASSISTS                                           246          184
Assists per game                           15.4         11.5
TURNOVERS                                   166          197
Turnovers per game                     10.4        12.3
Turnover margin                            +1.9           –
Assist/turnover ratio                   1.5            0.9
STEALS                                                 96           77
Steals per game                                6.0          4.8
BLOCKS                                                 64            51
Blocks per game                                4.0          3.2

We have Bill Raftery and Verne Lundquist in the house!!

Just how much does this game mean to the Richmond Spiders? Coach Chris Mooney has spent the last couple of minutes hanging out on the court, just taking in the moment.

The CBS crew is getting ready, Dayton players are going through their pre-game stretch – a different feel for this game already.

Richmond is making its second-straight Atlantic 10 title game appearance, losing in the  2010 title game to Temple.

For the Dayton Flyers, this is their 3 trip the Atlantic 10 title game – their first since 2003.

Be sure to stick around after the game for the Pickin Splinters’ All A10 Conference Tournament Team.

Definite sign that we are getting closer to tip-off. Both teams have been given the okay to begin warming up on the floor.

Less than 30 minutes, and the Dayton Band is getting warmed up. Speaking of getting warmed up – here come the Dayton Flyers!  “Goooooooo Dayton Flyers” is echoing throughout Boardwalk Hall.

Going to be difficult to figure out initially who is cheering for who.. Both schools wear red.

To the delight of the Richmond fans, here come the Spiders!!

This is the first time the teams have met in the A10 title game, however they have faced each other twice in prior A10 tournaments. The Flyers won both of those meetings.

Spider’s Kevin Anderson scored a game high 22 points in yesterday’s win over Temple. It marked the 13th time this year that Anderson has gone over the 20 point mark.

Richmond is 13-0 when outrebounding opponents this year. They outrebounded Temple yesterday 42-36.

The National Anthem has been sung and we are minutes away from starting. Overall a good size crowd considering where both teams are from.

Both teams have re-taken the floor to thunderous cheers. Fans from both sides are ready for this game.

I hope you are ready for some basketball as starting lineups are being announced as we are just seconds away.

Interesting match up to watch all afternoon – Dayton’s Chris Wright vs. Richmond’s Justin Harper. Quite possibly the most athletic players on the floor, their ability to stay in the game may prove to be the key.

And here we go!! We have tip-off!

Richmond wins the tap, and we start off with a deep 3 from Geriot.

Chris Johnson with a 3 of his own, 3-3.

Chris Wright’s first touch of the ball wasn’t a good one.  A little excited, he traveled and the ball goes back the Spiders.

But the Flyers’ pressure defense is giving the Spiders early fits. Another turnover by the Spiders.

Kevin Anderson for 3 over the out stretched arm of Chris Wright. A nice kick by Harper led to the basket, 6-3.

First media timeout, Richmond leads 6-3.

The Richmond band are Michael Jackson fans. This is the 3rd different song from them. This time it is Thriller.

Kevin Smith to Justin Harper in the corner for 3. Richmond 9-3.

Foul on Spearman and Kevin Anderson goes to the line.  Hits both free throws and the lead is 11-3.

Chris Johnson for downtown!!  11-6.

The mass substitutions have begun as the Flyers just subbed for the entire lineup on the floor.

Kevin Anderson for 3!!

Josh Benson responds for the Flyers in the post, 14-8.

Juwan Staten for 2 and the Flyers have trimmed the Spiders lead to 4, 14-10.

Juwan Staten for 2 again, and the lead is trimmed to 2, 14-12.

Francis Martel for 3!! Richmond now leads 17-12.

Coach Gregory just pleaded with his team, “Don’t be in a rush! ”

Justin Harper for an easy two and Coach Gregory wants to talk it over for 30 seconds, 19-12.

A travel on Johnson coming out of the timeout and the ball goes back to the Spiders.

Cedrick Lindsay from downtown and the lead is out to 10, 22-12.

Missed shot by the Flyers and after a Spiders rebound, Cedrick Lindsay is called for the offensive charge. Ball back to the Spiders.

So far the defense of the Spiders seems to be bothering the Flyers. Not worried about offensive rebounds, the Spiders are getting back and making the Flyers play a halfcourt team. Not their strength.

Benson with the throw down and the Flyers get a much needed bucket.

Kevin Anderson with another 3! It is the third trifecta for Anderson in the first half.

Backdoor pass from Geriot to Justin Harper for the throw down. And one!!

Harper hits the free throw and the lead has grown to 15, 29-14.

Miss by Parker and the Spiders with the rebound.

Media timeout and the score remains 29-14.

Chris Wright with the drive to hoop and the lead is cut to 13, 29-16.

Searcy for 2 off the feed from Chris Wright and the lead is down to 11, 29-18.

But the Spider’s Kevin Smith responds with a 3, 32-18.

Chris Wright is definitely getting more aggressive as he draws the blocking foul on Justin Harper.

Wright hits the first free throw.

Wright hits the second free throw.

Geriot tries his hand from downtown and he misses. The ball goes out of bounds to the Flyers.

Searcy on the put back.

Lindsay for two for the Spiders.

Searcy again on a feed from Chris Johnson.

Timeout. 34-24 Richmond.

Shot clock off, Justin Harper is rejected by Chris Wright.

With just seconds left, Flyer’s Juice Parker tries the 3 and misses at the buzzer.

We head to the locker rooms with the score, 34-24.

Some halftime statistics:

Dayton shot 41.7% from the field (10-24), but had 7 turnovers to its 6 assists. Chris Johnson and Devin Searcy led the Flyers with 6 points each.

Richmond shot 40.7% from the field (11-27) and had 9 assists along with 4 turnovers. Kevin Anderson leads the Spiders with 11 points .

We are back!!

Paul Williams with the strong finish and the Dayton bench is alive!!  34-26.

After a Richmond turnover, Chris Johnson with the drive and one!!!

Johnson hits the free throw, 34-29.

Justin Harper just picked up his third foul at the 17:51 mark and he has to sit.

Kevin Anderson for 3!!

After attacking the basket late in the first half and early in the 2nd – the Flyers have settled for jumpers the last couple of times. No coincidence they have come away empty.

Kevin Smith is fouled and hits both free throws.

Media timeout and Richmond is leading 39-29.

Out of the timeout, Kevin Smith hits one of two free throws. The lead is now 11.

A nice pass from Geriot to Kevin Smith, 42-29.

Chris Wright with the answer and one!!

Wright hits the free throw and the lead is back to 10.

Questionable no call as Chris Johnson appears to be fouled on a drive to the basket. Coach Gregory is upset!

Kevin Anderson with a short jumper, 44-32.

Paul Williams at the line. Hits one of two.

Devin Oliver with a huge rebound, kicks it back out and Paul Williams for 3!!!

Here is a picture for you:

 

 

 

 

Kevin Smith with the bucket and one!! Misses the free throw, 48-38.
Chris Wright is fouled going to the basket. Makes one of two. 48-39.

Justin Harper at the line. Hits one of two. 49-39.

Parker drives to the basket, but Benson couldn’t handle the dish. Flyers turnover.

Juwan Staten with the steal and the easy layup.

Justin Harper responds with a 2 of his own. Spiders timeout and the score is 51-41.

Benson has the ball slip out of his hands and it goes out of bounds. Flyers turnover and it goes back to the Spiders. Coach Gregory slaps his hands in frustration.

Justin Harper for 3!!  The lead is back to 13.

Oliver for 2, 54-43.

Justin Harper is fouled.

Harper hits first free throw.

Harper misses second free throw and Richmond with the offensive rebound. Spiders turnover.

Chris Johnson with the drive and basket, 55-45.

Loose ball and Juwan Staten with the steal! Diving on to the floor, Staten calls timeout.

Richmond faithful are standing and refuse to sit down. With 3:27 to go, they can sense their first A10 championship.

But Dayton will have something to say about it.

Darrius Garrett is controlling the lane for the Spiders with his 3rd block in the last 3 minutes.

Shot clock violation by the Spiders and the ball goes back to the Flyers.

30 second timeout by the Flyers.

Staten with the drive and basket, 55-47.

Garrett misses the front end of a one and one. Ball out of bounds – to the Flyers.

Flyers turnover back to the Spiders.

Blocking foul on Wright and Anderson goes to the line.

Anderson hits both free throws, 57-47.

After a miss by Chris Johnson, the Flyers are forced to foul. Justin Harper to the line.

Harper hits the first free throw.

Harper misses the second free throw.

Juice Parker with the drive and one! Hits the free throw and the Flyers still have life, 58-50.

Flyers foul and Kevin Anderson goes to the line.

Anderson hits the first three throw.

Anderson misses the second free throw.

Mad scramble and the ball goes out of bounds – Spiders ball.

Trying for the steal, Brandon Spearman is forced to foul – Kevin Anderson to the line.

Anderson hits the first free throw.

Anderson hits the second free throw.

Richmond timeout. 61-50.

Parker with the drive and foul.

Parker hits first free throw.

Parker hits second free throw. 61-52.

Harper with the dunk after an Anderson pass while lying on the floor. Dayton timeout, 63-52.

Darrius Garrett with another block. This time off a Chris Johnson shot attempt. Just call him the sheriff, because he is control the lane.

Kevin Anderson comes off the floor to a standing ovation and huge hug from Coach Mooney.

Staten with the layup but it is too little, too late.

Chris Wright comes off the floor to a standing ovation from Flyers’ faithful.

The final horn sounds and Richmond is the 2011 A10 Champions!!

Final score, Richmond 67  – Dayton 54.