RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond’s men’s basketball team padded its winning streak to four in a row Tuesday, cruising past visiting Presbyterian 74-44 at the Robins Center.
The Spiders, behind the continued stellar play of Terry Allen and an improving defense, built a 34-21 halftime lead before running away with things during the final 20 minutes.
Terry Allen continues ‘playing like an All-American’
After the Spiders dominated Old Dominion University 77-61 last week, head coach Chris Mooney told reporters he thought his star forward – who had just doubled up with 22 points and 13 rebounds – was playing like an All-American.
Allen was back at it again on Tuesday, posting his second straight double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds) while shooting 8-11 (2-3 3PT) from the floor. But it wasn’t just his offense that stood out.
“He had three steals in the first half that were plays where he was just aggressive,” Mooney said during Tuesday’s postgame press conference.
“I’ve said it, he’s playing like an All-American,” Mooney added. “He scores around the basket, can make 3-point shots and handle the ball … Hopefully he’s on his way to just a tremendous season.”
Given the consistency of his play so far, there’s no reason to think otherwise, coach.
Allen, who is among the top 25 scorers in the nation, is one of only two Division I players averaging at least 20 points and 8 rebounds per game.
Defense shines again
Defense was a major concern for Mooney earlier this season, but recently that aspect of the Spiders game has looked more like a strength.
Following each of his team’s previous two victories over ODU and Longwood, Mooney labeled his team’s defensive effort the best of the season.
He wasn’t asked that specific question again on Tuesday, but the high praise continued after the Spiders forced Presbyterian into 22 turnovers while limiting the Blue Hose to 36% shooting.
” I thought our defense was really good, think our defense is improving,” Mooney said. “At the beginning of the year would have thought we had the chance to be a very good defensive team, and today that showed up a little bit.”
Davis, Fore round out three Spiders in double figures
Joining Terry Allen in double figures on Tuesday was senior Trey Davis and freshman Khwan Fore.
Davis provided 12 points and 7 rebounds while Fore netted a career-high 11 points on 4-6 shooting.
The Spiders’ second-leading scorer on the season, senior forward T.J. Cline, played just 14 minutes in the blowout, finishing with 9 points and 4 rebounds.
