The 3-on-2 drill, usually seen only in practices, made an extended appearance last night at the University of Richmond.

Brittani Shells had 20 points, Abby Oliver added 16 and Danielle Bell had 13 as host Richmond defeated George Mason 78-52 yesterday. The teams swapped leads for the first 10 minutes of the game, but the Patriots’ 17 first-half turnovers and a 20-7 first-half run by the Spiders put GMU far behind by halftime. Brittany Poindexter and Amber Easter each had 14 points for the Patriots.

Two hours before Villanova played the University of Richmond at UR Stadium on Nov. 7, Dennis Blackburn repeatedly bent over with a stencil in his left hand and a can of white spray paint in his right. Up the sideline he walked, spraying the edges of yard-markers so they would be precisely four inches wide, with well-defined corners. Blackburn, wearing a hounds tooth check hat, then walked to the numbers on the field and touched up each of them with a spray of white. He studied the grass, looking for divots to repair, or other blemishes. There weren’t many. UR Stadium’s grass is “as quality a turf as you’re going to see anywhere in college athletics,“ said Jim Miller, the Spiders’ athletic director.

The University of Richmond outscored VMI 20-0 during a six-minute stretch of the first half on the way to a 103-59 win over the Keydets Monday night at the Robins Center.

Where: Robins Center (cap. 9,171).
  Radio: WXGI (950), WLFV (93.1), 6:30.
  Tickets : $20, $10; $7 in Sun Trust Mortgage Fanzone.
  Projected starting lineups (last season’s stats):
*2007-08 stats
  Notable: The Spiders lost at VMI 73-70 last New Year’s Eve, but this Keydets team is missing an average of about 50 points off that team—6-5 twins Chavis and Travis Holmes, and forward Willie Bell. Much of the scoring responsibility goes to guard Austin Kenon, who hit eight 3-pointers in last season’s Big South Conference tournament championship game (won by Radford). The Keydets opened vs. Army Friday, when Richmond opened vs. Lehigh. VMI, picked to finish fifth in the Big South, comes off a 24-8 season, which it tipped off by winning at Kentucky. Second game of a busy opening stretch for the Spiders, who play at William and Mary Thursday, and entertain Chattanooga Sunday. UR women face George Mason at 4 p.m.

WASHINGTON—Winless Georgetown lost a fumble on its first snap, threw an interception on its third pass, and lost another fumble before the first quarter ended. The University of Richmond turned each of those turnovers into touchdowns and rolled over the Hoyas 49-10 yesterday. The crowd of 2,312 at Multi-Sport Field appeared to include more UR supporters than Georgetown fans.

CHARLOTTESVILLE—A whirlwind week of tournament play for the Richmond field hockey team ended with a 3-0 loss to No. 2 Virginia, in a second half where the Cavs had too much offensive firepower. Spiders coach Gina Lucido addressed her team afterward in front of a whiteboard that read “A-10 Champions,“ a reminder that the team accomplished its goal for the season.

The University of Richmond took a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and rolled over Georgetown 49-10 Saturday before 2,312 at GU’s Multi-Sport Field.

The University of Richmond spent most of last night’s game vs. Lehigh looking for combinations that could score. The winning combination was Kevin Anderson and the ball. The 6-0 junior guard scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half as the Spiders overcame 38.6 percent shooting and won 65-53 before 4,139 at the Robins Center. Also pivotal in UR’s season-opening success was a stretch midway through the second half during which the Spiders turned up the intensity of their half-court defense and caused turnovers on seven consecutive Mountain Hawks possessions.

When: 1 p.m. Radio: WXGI (950), 12:30 p.m.  Records: UR 8-1; Georgetown 0-9.
  Players to watch: UR—QB Eric Ward, Sr., became program’s all-time leading passer last week and now holds every major school QB record; RB Justin Forte, Jr., averaged 105.5 rushing yards over past six games. GU—QB Scott Darby, Soph., made first career start last week; WR Brandon Floyd, Fr., 4 catches for 110 yards last weekend.

A to-do list should probably be in the pockets of University of Richmond football coaches today at Georgetown. The Hoyas are winless. The Spiders are No. 4 in the FCS and headed to the playoffs. UR (8-1) would be well-served to bring an agenda, should this one get out of hand. The cleanup of special-teams glitches qualifies as a high priority. Four poor punt snaps occurred in Richmond’s first eight games. Last Saturday in a 21-20 loss to Villanova, the Spiders:

Twenty days. Eight games. That’s the stretch the University of Richmond begins tonight with its season-opener vs. Lehigh. For an inexperienced team, that pace could be an issue. Five Spiders’ starters return—if you count junior center Dan Geriot, who missed last season with a knee injury—as well as several experienced reserves. “I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s good, but I don’t think it should hurt us. Let’s put it that way,“ Chris Mooney, entering his fifth season as Richmond’s coach, said of the opening three weeks. “When you’re experienced, that should be one of the things that can help you get through a stretch like that.“

Where: Robins Center (cap. 9,171).
  Radio: WXGI (950), WLFV (93.1), 6:30.
  Tickets : $20, $10; $7 in SunTrust Mortgage Fanzone.
  Projected starting lineups (last season’s stats):
* 2007-08 stats
  Notable: The Spiders open the season against a program known for rugged defense (held opponents to 39 percent shooting last season). The Mountain Hawks, who will start 6-9 freshman Gabe Knutson at center, also are tipping off their season. Lehigh guard Marquis Hall and forward Zahir Carrington were picked preseason all-Patriot League, with Hall the preseason player of the year. Lehigh, under third-year coach Brett Reed, was picked to finish second in the Patriot League. The Mountain Hawks went 15-14 last season, 5-9 in the Patriot League. Both teams have extensive experience. UR women face Western Carolina at 4 p.m.

Andrew Howard, a senior from Hermitage High, will continue as Richmond’s placekicker and has the team’s support, according to UR coach Mike London. Howard missed a 35-yard field goal with 5 seconds left in last Saturday’s 21-20 loss to Villanova. He is 2 for 6 on FG attempts of 30 or more yards, 5 for 5 from less than 30 yards. “He’s a veteran player. He’s got to get himself together,“ London said. “It’s a one-kick opportunity and he knows that. He’s got to perform when it’s his opportunity to do so.“

If you’re looking for the happiest, most enthusiastic, most appreciative women’s basketball player in the state, begin and end your search in the Robins Center with Kara Powell. Powell, the University of Richmond’s junior point guard, has returned to full-time—and pain-free—duty following a pair of complicated surgeries on her left knee.