HARRISONBURG, Va. — Richmond fought off JMU for a crucial road win over its Commonwealth rival,70-66, Sunday afternoon in Harrisonburg.
Kristina King scored a career-high 29 points, going 10-of-19 from the field, 8-of-10 from the line. King’s drives to the basket could not be contained as she poured in her game-high total.
The Spiders improved to 5-4, while JMU fell to 3-4. It was Richmond’s third-straight win over the Dukes and first victory at Madison since 1998.
Richmond staved off numerous JMU comebacks, most notably when the Dukes took the short-lived lead 61-60 with 2:44 left. Richmond immediately responded with a Rachael Bilney three-pointer to retake the lead it would not relinquish at 63-61 with 2:26 left.
King’s 29 points were the most by a Spider this season and the most by a Richmond player since Rachael Bilney scored 32 points in a win over GW Jan, 11, 2012.
Wann’s silencing three-pointer cut a JMU momentum swing and allowed Richmond some breathing room going ahead 60-55 with 3:59 left.
In the first half, Richmond took the momentum when it pieced together a 11-0 run to take lead at 23-15 at the 6:42 mark. The Spiders kept the Dukes at arm’s length the rest of the half, taking an eventual 31-28 lead into the lockeroom.
Richmond was buoyed by the brilliant play of King, whofinished the half with 14 first half points, going 6-of-14 from field. Becca Wann tied her season-high with 13 first-frame points and led Richmond reboundingwith eight boards.
Two-sport athlete Wann turned in a career-performance of 21 points and 15 rebounds. Richmond had season-highs in free-throws (22) and rebounds (51).
The Spiders went a season-high 22-of-27 from the line and outrebounded JMU, 51-43.
Richmond returns to action Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. as it hosts the Hokies of Virginia Tech.
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