Make a stand.
That’s what Saturday night’s game against visiting VMI was all about for the University of Richmond, which allowed 93 or more points in each of its previous three games, all losses.
The Keydets, picked last in the Southern Conference preseason poll and 11-53 over the past two seasons, are clearly an improved product, but still young and not the most prolific opponent UR will face this season. Nevertheless, the Spiders raised a stop sign after that deflating defensive stretch, winning 78-71.
The Keydets (6-7) led 20-10, baffling Richmond (5-7) with a wide zone and hitting seven of their first 12 shots. Then the Spiders discovered where the gaps were in that VMI zone – mid-range jumpers, mostly – and most notably firmed up on defense. UR went on an 18-0 run during an eight-minute stretch, changing a 22-14 deficit to a 32-22 lead.
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The Spiders received an off-the-bench lift from 6-6 sophomore Collin Tanner and 11 points from 6-8 graduate Dusan Neskovic (23 points) to lead 41-29 at halftime. Senior guard DeLonnie Hunt scored 16 and VMI guard Rickey Bradley Jr. score 23…