WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary women's basketball team used a dominate third quarter to upend in-state rival Richmond, 65-55, on Wednesday night in Kaplan Arena. The Tribe (5-3) finished shooting 41-percent from beyond the arc (9-for-22) to squash the Spiders (1-7).
 
After holding a three-point lead at halftime, the Tribe used a 9-0 run to build a double-digit advantage early in the third quarter. Junior Victoria Reynolds and redshirt sophomore Harper Birdsong hit a jumper each, before freshman Eva Hodgson made a pair of free throws. Reynolds then capped the run with an open 3-pointer for a 42-31 margin. W&M outscored Richmond 7-2 in the last 2:32 of the frame to carry a 52-43 advantage into the fourth quarter.
 
In the final period, the Spiders rallied with four-consecutive field goals to narrow W&M's lead to 55-52 at the 4:48 mark. However, Hodgson scored four points in a 6-0 run to lift the Tribe to a 61-52 lead with 2:30 left to go. The Tribe defense would surrender only one more Richmond field goal to secure the victory. 
 
The Tribe raced out on a 7-0 run to take the lead by the same score in the first quarter. Sophomore Gabby Rogers opened the scoring, before classmate Nyla Pollard canned a triple, and Reynolds added a lay-up. The Spiders rebounded to tie the score at 9-9, but W&M closed the frame on 4-0 run and never trailed in the contest.
 
W&M Starters - #2 Boggs, #10 Hodgson, #11 Pollard, #25 Rogers, #30 Reynolds
 
Richmond Starters - #2 Carpenter, #13 Parson, #21, Mustaf, #30 Fee, #33 Duggan
 
Individual Highlights
Freshman Eva Hodgson filled up the box score with 15 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Junior Victoria Reynolds poured in 14 points and six rebounds, and a steal, while redshirt sophomore Harper Birdsong also reach double-figures with 13 points.
 
Richmond's Daija Ruffin led all scorers with 16 points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench. Jaide Hinds-Clarke also made significant contributions off the bench after tallying 11 points and seven boards. Alex Parson chipped in nine points as well.
 
Inside the Numbers
- The Green and Gold shot 45-percent from the floor, while it limited the Spiders to 38-percent.
- The Tribe made four of its nine 3-pointers in the third quarter.
- W&M held the Spiders to 22-percent from downtown.
- Richmond received 39 points from its bench and the W&M subs added 18 points.
- The Spiders held a slim 31-30 edge in rebounds.
 
Notes
Freshman Eva Hodgson was in double-figures for the third time in the last four games with a career-high 15 points … She also handed out a career-high six dimes in the contest … It was the first time this season Hodgson led the team in scoring … Redshirt sophomore Harper Birdsong also notched a career-high with 13 points on 3-of-5 from behind the arc … The Suffolk, Va. native has been in double-figures in four of the last six games … Junior Victoria Reynolds rounded out the double-figure scorers with 14 points … It was the sixth time this season and 25th time in her career she has been in double-figures … The Tribe has now forced its last three opponents to more than 20 turnovers … W&M has accomplished that feat four times this season going 3-1 … The win was the third straight victory for W&M over Richmond.
 
What's Ahead
W&M closes the week as it heads to in-state and former CAA rival Old Dominion on Saturday, Dec. 5 for its last game before the exam break. Tip time for the Tribe and the Monarchs is set for 4 p.m.