On one telegraphed pass by University of Richmond's Darien Brothers, coach Chris Mooney's hands covered his eyes while the ball still was in the air, before the interception he knew was coming.
That giveaway turned into a quick George Washington basket, as did several other errant Spiders' passes in an 83-65 loss at the Smith Center in an Atlantic 10 Conference game Wednesday night. The Colonials were credited with 23 points off 13 UR turnovers, and shot 69.2 percent in the second half, when they made 18 of 26 shots and scored 50 points.
Richmond (11-8, 2-2) played without point guard Cedrick Lindsay, a 6-foot-1 sophomore from Washington, who has a bruised knee. Freshman Kendall Anthony, who's 5-8, started in Lindsay's place and handled most of Richmond's ballhandling responsibilities.
The Spiders committed 10 first-half turnovers, which helped put them behind 33-27 at the break. Without Lindsay, they never developed offensive flow. The Spiders had five field goals in the first half, but stayed in it with free throws. They struggled to get open 3-point shots, their specialty.
UR was averaging 8.6 3-pointers. The Spiders converted one in four attempts in the first half, 3 of 15 for the night.
"They disrupted our offense," said Brothers (17 points). "They denied all passes. We just didn't stay calm."
As is often the case, lack of scoring led to poor defense. GW (7-11, 2-2) came in shooting 41.6 percent.
The Colonials made 58.2 percent before 2,464 at the Smith Center, taking advantage of UR turnovers to score easily in transition, and getting into Richmond's defense for midrange jumpers or layups.
"I think the biggest thing was GW was the more aggressive team," said UR coach Chris Mooney. "They really came out and attacked the game and were more aggressive than us from the beginning."
Without Lindsay (12.6 ppg), the Spiders sometimes forced shots, and sometimes were too passive. UR's per-game turnover average was 11.3, and it had 10 at halftime.
Without Lindsay driving, drawing defenders and kicking out passes, Richmond's chances from 3-point range were limited.
"We were a little stagnant on offense. A lot of guys weren't into their normal game rhythm," said UR center Darrius Garrett.
A result of missing Lindsay?
"I wouldn't say a direct result," Garrett answered. "But of course it has a little bit to do with it. Cedrick has been kind of our ball captain. But we still have to move forward while he's out."
Free throws kept the Spiders alive in the first half, going 16 for 18 from the line. GW led for all but 30 seconds of the opening half, and by 10 after 12 minutes.
UR had won three consecutive at the Smith Center, but even when the Spiders started to get some offensive confidence in the second half, they failed to slow down the Colonials.
Richmond plays Massachusetts (14-4, 3-1) at the Robins Center on Saturday at 5 p.m. The game will be televised by CBS Sports Network. UMass played on Wednesday night at Duquesne.
Mooney said he believes Lindsay is "progressing pretty well," and may be available Saturday.
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