The Richmond Spiders, ranked 142nd in the NET, outlasted the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 99-94, at the Robins Center. The final margin of 5 points belied the back-and-forth nature of the game, with the Bonnies holding a 46-44 lead at halftime before ultimately falling short. The Spiders' second-half surge, fueled by a 55-48 advantage, ultimately proved decisive.
The Spiders' performance was highlighted by a standout individual effort, as senior forward Tyler Evans notched a stat line of 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, significantly outpacing his season averages of 16.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Evans' dominant display was a key factor in Richmond's victory, as his team's 99 points were 20 more than its season average.
Will Johnston's performance was a notable factor in Richmond's victory, as he tallied 21 points on 5-for-6 shooting from the field and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. His 3-point shooting was particularly effective, with 3 made shots on 4 attempts. Johnston also chipped in with 2 rebounds and 2 assists, providing a well-rounded contribution to the Spiders' offense.
AJ Lopez and Aiden Argabright also played significant roles for Richmond, with Lopez scoring 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting from the field, including 1 made 3-pointer on 5 attempts. Lopez was also perfect from the free throw line, making all 5 of his attempts. Argabright added 14 points, shooting 3-for-5 from the field and 2-for-4 from 3-point range, while also making 6 of his 9 free throw attempts.
Darryl Simmons II led the Bonnies' offense with 30 points, but his shooting percentages from the field and three-point range were somewhat tempered by his 4 turnovers. Despite his strong scoring output, Simmons' overall efficiency was affected by his 7 missed field goals. Still, his 5 assists showcased his ability to create for his teammates.
Daniel Egbuniwe provided a boost off the bench with 22 points, including a 6-for-11 showing from three-point range. However, his 0 assists and 2 rebounds limited his overall impact on the game. Frank Mitchell's 10 rebounds were a bright spot in the Bonnies' frontcourt, but his 16 points were not enough to propel his team to victory, and his 0 assists suggested that he was primarily focused on scoring and rebounding.
Andrew Osasuyi's performance marked a notable departure from his season averages, with his rebounding and scoring output significantly elevated. Notably, his field goal percentage remained consistent with his usual mark, as did his free throw shooting, suggesting that his increased production was not solely the result of opportunistic shots, but rather a more pronounced presence on the glass and in the paint. His block total, however, fell short of his season average, indicating a slight regression in defensive prowess.
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CORRECTPredicted
Final
In the end, the pre-game prediction proved accurate, with Richmond emerging victorious by a margin of 5 points, rather than the predicted 3.7. The actual outcome was not a surprise, given the strong performance by the Richmond offense, which consistently found its rhythm and exploited the Bonnies' defense.
The decisive factors in this game were Richmond's exceptional shooting efficiency and rebounding dominance. The Spiders' eFG% soared to 68.4%, a stark departure from their season average of 53.2%. This surge in shooting accuracy allowed Richmond to build a significant lead, which St. Bonaventure struggled to overcome. Additionally, Richmond's OREB rate jumped to 15.4%, more than doubling their season average. This allowed the Spiders to secure crucial second-chance opportunities, further bolstering their lead and ultimately securing the victory.
The loss for St. Bonaventure further complicates its NCAA Tournament chances, as it now stands with a 0-3 record against Quad 1 opponents, a significant blemish on its resume. This setback likely drops the Bonnies down the seeding pecking order, potentially from a 10 or 11 seed to a 12 or 13 seed. Meanwhile, Richmond's win bolsters its resume with its second Quad 1 victory, now sitting at 1-2 in these games. This performance could propel the Spiders into the 10 or 11 seed range, depending on how the selection committee weighs its remaining schedule and overall body of work. With the Selection Sunday bubble growing increasingly crowded, this result has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament fates.