Richmond downs Longwood, 77-59

T.J. Cline led all scorers with 18 points as the Spiders downed Longwood, 77-59, in non-conference action on Saturday night at the Robins Center.

Richmond won its third game in a row to improve to 6-3 in the non-conference season. It was the second-straight game that UR put five players in double figures and third time it happened this season.

“I’m pleased with our win,” head coach Chris Mooney said. “I thought our effort was very good. It’s obviously a challenge for everyone in the middle of finals, but our effort was good from the start. Defensively, it was one of our better games. Offensively, we were great in the second part of the first half and first part of the second half. We passed the ball really nicely and got some easy baskets.”

The Spiders shot 46.4 percent from the floor and dished 18 assists on 26 field goals made. Richmond’s defense created 19 turnovers to generate 27 points off turnovers.

Cline’s 18 points were his third-highest output this season and eighth double-digit scoring game. He added a game-high six assists with five rebounds, registering his seventh game of at least 10 points, four assists and multiple rebounds.

Terry Allen added 16 points with nine rebounds and three assists in yet another workmanlike effort. ShawnDre’ Jones scored 12 points with five assists and Marshall Wood had 11. Jones and Cline now have back-to-back game with five or more assists.

Senior Trey Davis reached double figures for the third time this year, scoring 10 points with a season-high nine rebounds. Khwan Fore came off the bench to grab seven rebounds and make a career-best four steals.

Longwood’s Kanayo Obi-Rapu led the Lancers with 17 points, while Shaquille Johnson returned to score 10 points and grab 11 boards.

After a closely-contested start, Richmond pulled away from Longwood with a 16-2 run over the last nine minutes of the first. UR’s defense forced 11 first-half turnovers and held the Lancers to just 34.6 percent shooting.

Richmond extended its lead to as much as 65-36 with 10 minutes to go, after a hot offensive start in the second half. Longwood was able to hit some field goals down the stretch to close the margin, but never got any closer than 15 points.

The Spiders stay at home for a game on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. against Old Dominion. The game will be broadcast on American Sports Network.