Richmond defeats S Illinois 93-84

Richmond 93, S Illinois 84: A Thrilling Comeback Victory at Home

In a non-conference matchup that showcased the resilience and skill of both teams, the Richmond Spiders emerged victorious with an impressive 93-84 win over the visiting S Illinois Salukis on Saturday night at Robins Center.

The game's primary storyline was a dramatic comeback by Richmond, which erased a four-point halftime deficit to take control of the contest. The Spiders' ability to adapt and respond to the Salukis' offense proved decisive in their victory.

At halftime, S Illinois led 32-36, but Richmond adjusted its strategy to neutralize the Salukis' strong shooting. Aiden Argabright led the charge with 18 points, including three 3-pointers, on 6-of-9 shooting from the field (66.7% FG). Jonathan Beagle added eight rebounds and 14 points, including two blocks, in support of his teammate.

Richmond's comeback was sparked by a strong second half, during which it outscored S Illinois 61-48. The Spiders' bench played a crucial role, contributing 23 points off the bench compared to 10 from the Salukis' reserve unit.

Rolyns Aligbe led the Salukis with 19 points and 11 rebounds, but S Illinois struggled with outside shooting, connecting on just one-of-two 3-point attempts (31.0% FG). Quel'Ron House added 17 points, four assists, and two steals for the Salukis.

In terms of team statistics, Richmond's balanced attack was a key factor in their victory. The Spiders shot 51.0% from the field, including 62.2% on 2-point attempts, while limiting S Illinois to just 43.0% shooting. Richmond also outrebounded the Salukis 29-48 and committed fewer turnovers (13-22).

The win improves Richmond's record in non-conference play and sets up an interesting matchup against another ranked team in the coming weeks.