Nov. 16, 1997

Cavaliers Lose Season Opener to Richmond in Double Overtime

Norman Nolan
Norman Nolan scored 31 points in a losing effort against Richmond. (file photo)

Nolan Has a Career Night in Losing Effort

RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond overcame a 13-point second half deficit to defeat Virginia 83-79 in double overtime in Richmond. Richmond's Marseilles Brown hit two free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining in the double overtime period to seal the win. Norman Nolan scored the Cavaliers last 17 points of the second half en route to a career-high 31 points.

Virginia opened the game with an 11-2 advantage. The Spiders moved to within 11-8 on three-pointers by Jarod Stevenson and Jonathan Baker, but the Cavaliers stretched the margin back to double figures with a 13-0 run. The Cavaliers led by as much as 16 points but Richmond chiseled that lead to nine at half-time.

In the second half, the Cavaliers' offense sputtered as Nolan was the only Cavalier to score in the final 16 minutes of the half. Virginia never trailed in the game and it was Richmond that tied the game at 59-59 and held possession for the last shot of regulation. Brown missed a long jumper which sent the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, Richmond pulled ahead by six points, but a lay-up from Monte Marcaccini and a three-pointer by Willie Dersch brought the Cavaliers to within 70-68 with 9.1 seconds left in the first overtime. Curtis Staples, who finished with 26 points, hit a trey with 3.2 seconds and was fouled. His free throw tied the game at 72-72 and send the game into the second overtime.

The Spiders quickly jumped out to a 76-74 lead in the second overtime. Nine of Richmond's 11 points came from the free throw line during this extra session. The Cavaliers connected on three of seven shots from the field and never had an opportunity to visit the charity stripe in the second overtime.

"Richmond did a great job of hanging in there," said head coach Jeff Jones. "It seemed like just for a little bit we lost our composure, and that's when they go hot."

The Cavaliers return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 19 to host William and Mary at 7:30 p.m. in University Hall.