Davidson, N.C. — The Spiders faced a tough loss against the Wildcats, falling 65-63 after rallying from a 16-point deficit. The outcome wasn’t decided until the final buzzer when Richmond couldn’t hit two crucial shots in the paint.
Just ten seconds prior, Aiden Argabright thought he had tied the game with a contested jump shot. However, an official review revealed his toe was on the line, keeping the score at 64-63 in favor of Davidson.
The game shifted dramatically in the final moments. After a Richmond foul, Davidson missed a free throw, but AJ Lopez grabbed the rebound and raced towards the basket. His scoop shot rolled off the rim, and Jaden Daughtry’s putback attempt failed as time expired.
This loss brought Richmond’s record to 14-13 overall and 4-10 in Atlantic 10 play.
Argabright led Richmond with 16 points, shooting impressively at the foul line. Lopez contributed 15 points and was key on defense with three steals. Mike Walz also made an impact, leading in rebounds with seven and assists with five.
In the first half, the Wildcats took control, building a 34-18 lead. However, Richmond managed to narrow the gap to 35-24 by halftime, thanks to two key three-pointers from Will Johnston in the final moments of the half.
The Spiders came out strong in the second half, hitting five out of six three-pointers in the first four minutes, bringing the score to 41-39. Richmond even took the lead with a dunk from Lopez, putting them ahead 43-41.
Davidson, however, regained the upper hand. A bucket from Josh Scovens brought the Wildcats’ lead to 62-54 with just 1:50 left on the clock. Under pressure, Lopez and Argabright combined for a late-game surge, scoring the last 14 points for Richmond and keeping the game within reach.
Despite their effort, the size of Davidson’s frontcourt made it difficult for Richmond. With backup center Jonathan Beagle sidelined due to injury, the Spiders were outmatched on the boards, losing the rebounding battle 45-30 and allowing the Wildcats to gain valuable second-chance points.
Interestingly, Davidson has now won five straight against Richmond, breaking the Spiders’ four-game win streak from the previous years.
As the Spiders look ahead, they prepare for a “White Out” Senior Night game against St. Bonaventure on Saturday in the Robins Center. It’s set to be a special evening as several athletes will be honored, making it a memorable occasion for both players and fans alike.
This competitive spirit reflects not just on the court but within the broader context of college basketball. According to recent surveys by the NCAA, there has been a noticeable increase in attendance and engagement during games, demonstrating the sport’s growing popularity among fans.
As the season wraps up, Richmond will aim to leverage their upcoming games to build momentum, hoping to reclaim their footing in the Atlantic 10 standings.
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