By Kyle Soppe
The importance of conference play cannot be overstated. Both Temple and Richmond came into this contest looking to establish themselves as contenders in the Atlantic 10. Both teams accomplished that goal, but it was the road team that emerged victorious.
As is customary with conference play, the going was tough early on. Atlantic 10 teams know each other inside and out, making the offense execute at a high level if they want to produce. There was not a single point scored in the games first two minutes, as both teams displayed nerves. The Spiders, the youngest team in the A-10, roster five freshman who have never seen a conference foe, and have a handful of other players who have never played in such an intense contest.
Senior Kristen McCarthy drained a three pointer for the games first points, but the lead would be short lived. Rachel Bilney answered with a three of her own, which seemed to alleviate the pressure on Richmond. Although UR roster is packed with young guns, it was their upperclassman that led the early charge.
Following Bilney’s bomb, Abby Oliver stepped in the passing lane and intercepted a weak Temple pass. As she has done so many times this season, she drove the distance of the floor and converted the easy deuce. More aggressive defense from the Spiders created an athletic three point play for Gen Okoro and another bucket by Bilney, that Becca Wann single handily created; giving Richmond a comfortable 10-3 advantage.
The Spiders, however, would make things more difficult on themselves from this point on, as Oliver and Okoro would make early exits with two fouls apiece. Not that Richmond relies completely on the high scoring duo, but Oliver’s leadership and Okoro’s athleticism are simply irreplaceable. Kristina King and Sam Bilney played extended minutes due to the foul situation, and stepped up to the challenge in a big way. Both reserves played within themselves, resisting the temptation to do to much. Neither King nor S. Bilney turned the ball over in the first half, and the tandem added 10 points.
Everything seemed to be going the home teams way; they were getting unexpected production from substitutes and outstanding Owl Shey Peddy had yet to score. Star players, however, can not be held down for ever. Despite great defense from Rachel Bilney and Becca Wann, Peddy (2010 All-Conference First Team selection) was able to get on the board with a wild right handed drive amidst the Spider bigs. Two free throws just before the half time buzzer, and Temple had to be happy with where they stood. The Owls trailed 30-22 after 20 minutes, a very manageable difference for a team that has already overcome multiple double digit deficits.
Richmond’s sharp shooting (3/6 from deep) was a big difference in the first half as Temple (2/11) struggled to connect from beyond the arc. The Spiders shot 41% from the field, and overcame foul trouble from Oliver and Okoro.
Temple, who relies heavily on their starting five, came out on a mission. Peddy and Brittany Lewis went on a scoring rampage in which they scored 10 quick points to draw the Owls to within three points. They attacked the paint, which would prove crucial as the game progressed. Sharp shooting senior Kristen McCarthy consequently found some openings, and took full advantage by knocking down two mid range jumpers with 9:08 remaining to give Temple their first advantage since the very beginning, 41-40.
Most inexperienced teams would have crumbled at this adversity, but the Spiders turned to their leader in Oliver. Knowing how valuable each and every conference game is, Oliver dropped in eight quick points and brought the momentum back to Richmond. After a transition acrobatic lay up by Oliver, the Spiders led 52-46 and seemed to be in control. Okoro battled inside for another bucket, and Richmond’s lead reached eight points, equaling their halftime advantage.
But Temple, tabbed as a preseason A-10 co-champion, showed the heart of a champion. McCarthy cashed in on back to back jump shots after Rateska Brown drove for a left lay in, and Richmond’s eight point advantage evaporated in a matter of seconds. They led by only a single point, with 40 seconds remaining. Okoro came up empty on a mid range hook, and the ball was in the hands of Peddy, with the chance to win a conference road game. After Richmond used the two fouls they had to give, Temple had 5.6 seconds to produce two points. Peddy drove hard to the left, but was stopped by Oliver. As a true star will do, Peddy knew she couldn’t do it on her own, and she whipped a skip pass to a waiting McCarthy. Instinct took over from there, as McCarthy calmly took one bounce and rose up.
The ball left her finger tips with just over a second remaining and swished through the nylon, breaking the Spiders hearts as the backboard lit up. The final of McCarthy’s 18 points gave Temple (7-7) a great in conference win, and sent Richmond (12-3) looking for answers. Peddy was held under her season average, scoring 12 points, but it was her unselfish play that won the game. Oliver finished with a game high 21 points, while Rachel Bilney tallied 13. Becca Wann offered up another strong performance, notching seven rebounds and four assists. The most telling statistic from Richmond’s first loss in over three weeks: they only connected on 11 of 16 free throws. Typically a strength of the Spiders, one more make would have made a world of difference.
Richmond will try to recover from the devastating loss on Wednesday as they host George Washington.
Leave a Reply