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Davidson College
at Winthrop
Defense and Richards Key Davidson BracketBuster Win at Winthrop, 60-47
2/22/2008 8:15:09 PM | Men's Basketball
Marc Gignac
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Jason Richards scored 21 points and dished out five assists to lead Davidson to a 60-47 victory over Winthrop in the ESPN BracketBusters game at Winthrop Coliseum Friday night.
It was the 17th straight victory for the Wildcats and Winthrop's third loss in its last 59 games at home. Davidson improved to 21-6 with the victory, and Winthrop fell to 18-10.
Stephen Curry added 12 points and eight rebounds for Davidson, and Andrew Lovedale tallied nine points and 12 boards.
In a game where Davidson was supposed to be the offensive juggernaut and Winthrop was the defensive specialists, the Wildcats proved they were every bit up to the task on the defensive end. Davidson forced Winthrop to take bad shots and continually hounded the Eagles' inbounds plays, forcing five turnovers. The 47 points allowed was a season-best for the 'Cats.
Winthrop responded in kind by hounding Curry with the 6-foot-5 body of Mantoris Robinson and double teams every time the sophomore dribbled past a screen. Curry finished the night 4-for-14 from the floor and never could find his shooting rhythm.
Leading 41-31, the Wildcats used a 10-2 surge to take control of the game and open a 51-33 cushion on a Lovedale fast-break layup with 7:14 remaining. Curry got going with five points, and the Eagles were 1-for-6 from the floor with two turnovers during the stretch.
The Wildcats tried to work the clock but got themselves into an offensive funk and didn't score again until a Lovedale dunk with 1:50 remaining. But the Wildcat defense gave up just two baskets and seven points during the cold spell, and Davidson moved the margin to 57-42 with 48 seconds left on free throws by Richards and Curry.
The first half featured a defensive clinic by both teams, and Davidson was forced to play half the period without Curry after he picked up his second foul. The 'Cats defense was strong from the opening tip, and Winthrop went 6-for-22 from the field, including 2-for-10 to start the game. Richards picked up the scoring slack and netted 14 points in the frame.
With the score tied 8-8, Richards ignited a 12-0 run with a 3-pointer, and # Will Archambault# added four points during the stretch as the Wildcats took a 20-8 lead.
Winthrop answered with five points from Michael Jenkins, but Richards came back with a trey and a pair from the charity stripe to make the margin 25-13. Richards and Barr capped the Wildcat scoring with 3-pointers, and Davidson led 31-21 at the break.
Taj McCullough led Winthrop with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Chris Gaynor netted 16. Jenkins added 10 points and seven rebounds.
Davidson plays its 2007-08 home finale Wednesday, Feb. 27, as the Wildcats return to league play with a 7 p.m. contest against Appalachian State at Belk Arena.
Game Notes: Curry reached double figures for the 54th consecutive contest… Lovedale made his 17th straight start, all Wildcat wins… Davidson is 31-3 in the month of February since 2003-04.
