Richmond spanks Temple 76-65 in A-10 victory

Credit: MARK GORMUS/TIMES-DISPATCH

Cheerleaders and fans react after University of Richmond's Derrick Williams scores a basket, drawing a foul against Temple.

GALLERY: Richmond 76, Temple 65

University of Richmond center Darrius Garrett set the tone on defense and forward Derrick Williams did the same on...

» More

By: John O'Connor | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: January 14, 2012

University of Richmond center Darrius Garrett set the tone on defense and forward Derrick Williams did the same on offense as the Spiders humbled Temple 76-65 on Saturday night in an Atlantic 10 Conference game before 8,032 at the Robins Center.

Williams, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound sophomore, powered through the Owls for 11 first-half points in his most physical performance as a Spider. He finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Garrett, a 6-9 senior, blocked two of Temple’s first three shots, and changed two others early in the game, discouraging the Owls from challenging inside. He finished with five blocks.

The Spiders went ahead 10-4 and stayed ahead the rest of the way, including a 44-25 halftime advantage.

UR sophomore starting guard Cedrick Lindsay left the game with 5:37 left after twisting his right knee while coming down with a rebound. He was helped off the court, but returned to the bench area a few minutes later, and road a stationary bike.

UR (11-7, 2-1) led 27-18 after 13:30. Temple (11-5, 1-2) seemed to have enough offense to stay with Richmond. But the Spiders then came up with a two-minute, 10-0 spurt that floored the Owls. Guard Darien Brothers (19 points) hit a pair of free throws, and guard Kendall Anthony (15 points) bagged a pair of 3-pointers.

And then came the highlight of UR’s season so far. Lindsay made a steal of a Will Cummings’ pass, pushed the ball up-court, and left a lob for the trailing Garrett, who rose high enough on his transition slam that his eyebrows could have brushed the rim.

That energized the best crowd of the season at the Robins Center, gave UR a 37-20 lead, and caused a break-the-momentum timeout called by TU. It did no good. The Spiders stayed aggressive, led by 19 at the break, having held the Owls to 30.8-percent shooting in the first half.

Richmond hit eight of 18 3-point attempts.

This was a meeting of programs that won the last four A-10 championships. UR captured last season’s title. The Owls won the previous three, and advanced to the NCAA tournament in each of the last four years.

Guards and small forwards from both teams excel at getting to the basket and hitting 3-pointers. Meanwhile, the big guys usually concentrate on screening and getting into position for rebounding.

Williams broke that trend, getting UR off to a terrific offensive start.

The Spiders play on Wednesday night (7 p.m.) at George Washington (6-11, 1-2 in the A-10), which fell 69-48 at No. 25 Harvard on Saturday. The Colonials, playing under first-year coach Mike Lonergan, have lost 10 of their last 12.