PHILADELPHIA - Senior Natasha Cloud scored the go-ahead layup and graduate student Ashley Robinson grabbed a rebound in the final seconds to lift Saint Joseph's women's basketball team over Richmond, 61-59, Saturday afternoon at Hagan Arena.
Down 59-58 with under two minutes to play, SJU's Cloud came off a pick at the top of the key and drove down the right side of the lane for an uncontested layup to give her team a 60-59 lead with 1:49 to play.
Each team would go scoreless in their next possessions, leading to Cloud being fouled with 11 seconds to go. Cloud missed the first, but converted the second to push the Hawks' lead to 61-59.
Out of a timeout, the Spiders worked the ball into Genevieve Okoro who's jumper in the lane was short and Robinson was there to snag the rebound.
Richmond (16-11, 8-6 A-10) would have one last chance off a missed SJU free throw, but Cloud intercepted the inbounds pass to seal the victory.
After a 32-32 tie at the half, Saint Joseph's (10-16, 6-8 Atlantic 10) opened a 46-35 advantage on a layup by Ciara Andrews at 14:32.
The Spiders slowly chipped away at the Hawks' edge though as they eventually took a 57-56 lead on a Liz Brown three-pointer with 3:20 to go.
Both teams would trade free throws, leading to Richmond's one-point lead and the Hawks frantic comeback victory.
For the game, Saint Joseph's shot 36.5 percent overall (19-of-52), hit 4-of-10 from three-point range and 19-of-28 from the foul line (67.9 percent).
Individually, Cloud had a team-high 17 points, five rebounds, two steals and added six rebounds. Andrews also finished in double figures with15 points, while Robinson had a team-high nine rebounds to go with eight points and two assists.
At the other end, Okoro had a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds as Richmond shot 39.2 percent (20-of-51), 33.3 percent from behind the arc (5-of-15) and 77.8 percent from the foul line (14-of-18).
The Hawks return to action Wednesday when they host Duquesne at 7 p.m.
Game Notes: The Hawks have now won four staright over Richmond...SJU finished with a 37-33 edge in rebounding...Junior Sarah Fairbanks finished with six points and three rebounds...Redshirt sophomore Jordan Strode added six points, finishing with a team-best two three-pointers...Rookie Chelsea Woods was 4-of-4 from the foul line for four points and added a rebound and assist...Adashia Franklen grabbed six rebounds and had two points...Sophomore Mackenzie Rule finished with three points and a rebound.
