RICHMOND, Va. - Lafayette closed the 2023-24 non-conference slate with a 59-38 loss at Richmond on Saturday afternoon in the Robins Center.

The Maroon and White were cold from the floor, finishing the game shooting 25 percent, including 1-of-20 from long distance against the Atlantic 10 Conference foe which is undefeated at home through non-league play.

The Leopards held their own to the 15-minute mark, trailing the Spiders 7-6. Richmond proceeded to take a 15-6 advantage with an 8-0 run, fueled by a pair of 3-pointers from Isaiah Bigelow, by 13:31. He finished with a double-double on 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Despite Lafayette interjections by centers Justin Vander Baan and Chris Rubayo, the Spiders doubled their lead, 30-13, at 4:46. Tyler Harris led six Spider scorers in that 15-7 run with six points on two shots from beyond the arc.

The Spiders held the Leopards to one layup at 3:57 and a pair of free throws (2:45, 1:55) during the final nine minutes of play in the first half. Richmond surged ahead offensively with a 7-0 run in the final two minutes and closed the first half with a statement buzzer-beater layup by Dji Bailey, 44-17.

Lafayette controlled the opening portion of the second half with a 6-2 spurt as Eric Sondberg, Mark Butler and Luke Rasmussen each netted two points by 13:06. The Spiders' second basket of the half, a 3-pointer by Jordan King, came at 12:49 for a 49-23 advantage.

Richmond shot 33 percent from beyond the arc overall and held the Leopards to 0-for-19 in 3-point shots until freshman Andrew Phillips converted the lone successful ranged bucket at 2:19 in the second half. Phillips finished the game with a career-high eight points and the Downingtown, Pa. native also added two rebounds and three steals in 10 minutes.

Richmond out-rebounded Lafayette 45-39, including a slim 10-9 margin on the offensive glass. 

The Leopards open conference play on Jan. 3, hosting the Army Black Knights. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in Kirby Sports Center.


For the latest on the Lafayette College men's basketball program, follow the Leopards on X @LafayetteMBB and Instagram @lafayettembb.