Junior guard Brittani Shells netted a game-high 16 points and redshirt junior post player Katie Holzer pulled down a season-high 13 boards as the University of Richmond women’s basketball team improved to 3-1 by thumping Hampton 64-46 yesterday at the Robins Center. “We wanted to dominate the boards,“ said Holzer, whose effort helped UR build a 48-32 advantage beneath the glass. “We played really well. We communicated really well. We did a good job of getting to the open man and boxing out. I pride myself on my rebounding.“

Maryland’s veterans made certain that a banner day at the University of Richmond would not include the Spiders’ current women’s basketball team.

The Richmond Spiders reminded themselves of a basic basketball rule at halftime of yesterday’s game against William and Mary: A 2-footer is far less challenging than a 20-footer.

The Spiders knew what was coming: a floorburns-and-bruises kind of game that no one—not even the winner—enjoys. “It was a long game—I mean, a really long game,“ said University of Richmond point guard Brittani Shells in the glad-it’s-over-with aftermath of last night’s 56-48 homecourt victory over crosstown rival Virginia Commonwealth University. “It was rough and physical and after a while I started thinking, ‘Oh, man. Is this thing ever going to end?‘“