Field Level Media
Nov 29, 2020
Nathan Cayo and Blake Francis each had 18 points and Richmond's defense forced Kentucky into 21 turnovers and 0-for-10 shooting from 3-point range in a 76-64 victory Sunday over the 10th-ranked Wildcats in Lexington, Ky.
Richmond previously beat a top-10 team on Nov. 27, 2010, when the Spiders upset No. 10 Purdue.
Grant Golden had 13 points and Tyler Burton finished with 11 for Richmond (2-0).
The Spiders scored 22 points off Kentucky's turnovers, which diminished the impact of the Wildcats (1-1) winning the rebound battle 54-31.
Brandon Boston Jr. had 20 points and 10 rebounds and Olivier Sarr finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds for Kentucky.
Sarr, a senior, joined four freshmen in Kentucky's starting lineup while Richmond started four seniors, including Cayo.
Richmond's experience playing together was evidenced by its 15 assists compared to five for Kentucky.
Richmond gained separation with a 10-3 run to take a 51-44 lead with 10:43 remaining. In that stretch, Cayo had five points and the Wildcats missed three shots
After Kentucky cut Richmond's lead to 58-50, Jacob Gilyard made a layup and Matt Grace nailed a 3-pointer to put the Spiders ahead 63-50 with 4:40 left.
The game was close throughout the first half with 11 lead changes and nine ties and neither team having a lead larger than four points.
Before the Spiders pulled away, the game had 14 lead changes and 12 ties.
Kentucky led Richmond 32-28 at halftime as Boston and Sarr combined for 26 of Kentucky's points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field. Their teammates were 1 of 7.
Sarr had 14 points and seven rebounds while Boston produced 12 points.
Neither team was productive from 3-point range in the first half as Kentucky missed all four of its attempts and Richmond was 2 of 12.
Kentucky next plays Kansas on Tuesday in the Champions Classic at Indianapolis. Richmond will play at Charleston on Wednesday.
--Field Level Media