Richmond holds off Toledo led by Jacob Gilyard to advance to NIT quarterfinals
DENTON, Texas (BVM) — Despite losing their top two scorers and best three point shooter, the two-seed Richmond Spiders were able to hold off the three-seeded Toledo Rockets in the first round of the NIT on Wednesday, winning 76-66.
The Rockets were off to a hot start led by MAC Freshman of the Year Ryan Rollins who scored 16 first–half points.
The Spiders trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half, but kept it competitive by ending it with a 9-0 run, trailing Toledo 38-32.
Atlantic-10 Defensive Player of the Year Jacob Gilyard led the charge for the Spiders as they went on a 10-0 run early in the second half to overtake the lead. They also anchored down their defense by outscoring Toledo 44-28 in the second half.
Gilyard led the way with 18 points, three rebounds, five assists and four steals. The 5-foot–9 senior stepped up in the absence of Richmond’s leading scorer, Blake Francis, and with the 4 steals, he is now fifth all-time in NCAA history in that category.
Sophomore Tyler Burton chipped in by producing a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds along with four threes made. Senior Nathan Cayo also contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
The Spiders also got help off the bench from junior Souleymane Koureissi who shot five for six from the field for 10 points. It was the first time this season he has scored in double digits.
Richmond was without Francis (16.1 PPG) due to a back injury suffered in their last regular season game and they lost Grant Golden (12.7 PPG) due to a broken finger in their loss in the first round of the Atlantic-10 Conference Tournament.
Toledo could not buy a basket in the second half, making just one of 14 shots behind the arc during that period.
It was a disappointing night for MAC Player of the Year Marreon Jackson, who was scoreless in the first half and finished with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists on one for six shooting — including one for five from three.
After scoring 16 first-half points, Rollins only scored two in the second half. Junior Setric Millner Jr. contributed 13 points and senior Spencer Littleson had 11.
Toledo ends their season with the loss while Richmond will advance to the quarterfinals to face the winner of Saturday’s game between Mississippi State and Saint Louis.
