In its last non-conference game of the season, William and Mary lost 59-56 to Richmond Sunday. The teams both held records of 6-4 before the matchup; the Tribe now owns a 6-5 record, while Richmond sits at 7-4.
The Tribe and the Spiders faced each other for the 108th iteration of the in-state rivalry. With the win, Richmond now leads the series 82-25-1.
With a layup, the Spiders took the first two points of the game. The Tribe quickly answered, scoring the next 12 points with contributions from freshman guard Jenna Green, senior guard Jazmen Boone, sophomore forward Alexandra Masaquel, freshman center Abby Rendle, sophomore guard Marlena Tremba, and junior guard Brooke Stewart.
The College held a commanding lead for the rest of the first half and kept at least a seven-point margin from the 15:17 mark on. At the half, the Tribe led 37-25.
During the first half, the College scored 17 points off turnovers compared to the Spiders’ eight. The Tribe also led Richmond in points scored off fast breaks (6-2) and points scored in the paint (18-10).
Both teams remained scoreless for the first four minutes of the second half, with the College and Richmond each missing four shots. Boone broke the scoreless streak with a layup with 16:30 remaining.
Richmond followed suit with two additional layups, bringing the score to 39-28. The teams traded points back and forth for the next few minutes until the Spiders scored ten consecutive points, narrowing the deficit to 41-40.
Senior guard Kyla Kerstetter and Tremba scored four points apiece during the Tribe’s attempt to maintain the lead; however, the Spiders tied the game at 49-49 with 3:40 remaining. Richmond proceeded to take the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the first half. Though the Tribe managed to tie the game at 51, it never regained the lead. Richmond held off the College for the 59-56 win.
During the second half, Richmond outscored the Tribe in points scored off of turnovers (17-7). The Spiders also led the Tribe in points scored off of fast breaks, 4-0, and in points scored in the paint (12-6).
The College faces the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Jan. 4 in Wilmington, NC. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
