Richmond used a 13-point run to open the fourth quarter and secure a 69-63 victory over the Swords Thunder in exhibition action outside of Dublin on Friday night.
Senior ShawnDre’ Jones scored 18 points with three threes, while T.J. Cline added 13 points and a team-high eight boards.
Sophomore Julius Johnson poured in nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from long range. Nick Sherod also came up big off the bench, scoring 11 points.
The Spiders and Thunder played a close first half as the American visitors worked to find a rhythm in the Irish gym.
Richmond led by three at halftime, but the Thunder took a four-point lead by the start of the fourth quarter.
UR locked down on defense, getting big steals from Khwan Fore and Joe Kirby which sparked fast-break opportunities and kick-out three pointers.
Fore finished with four points, and graduate transfer Kwesi Abakah grabbed six rebounds. Freshman Grant Golden also scored four points on consecutive fast-break layups.
Richmond’s next game will be on Aug. 16 in Ekeren, Belgium.