MBB: Spiders spoil Shaq's debut

In their first televised game of the season, Longwood (3-7) fell 77-59 to the hosting University of Richmond Spiders (6-3) even with the help of senior forward/guard Shaquille Johnson on Dec. 12.  

Saturday's game was the Big South All-Tournament team selection's senior debut after a 10-game suspension for violating team rules. 

The game, broadcast on the local CBS6 station in Richmond, Virginia, saw Johnson earn his first double-double of the season, with 10 points, 11 rebounds.  

"There aren't many players that can come back and get 10 points, 11 rebounds and, I think, 6 assists in their first game. He's certainly that type of athlete and that type of player," said men's basketball head coach Jayson Gee. "It certainly looks good going forward as he continues to help us."  

"I can play harder, I've got to get in better shape (and) I've got to get more involved. I have to become more of a team player and we've all got to get on the same page," said Johnson, regarding his performance. 

Johnson's effort combined with sophomore guard Kanayo Obi-Rapu Jr. sinking three from beyond-the-arc and shooting 7-16 (.438) overall for a team-leading 17 points wasn't enough to keep up with the Spiders. 

"Kanayo's a fantastic player and I think he's a product of his work ethic, his attitude and character," said Gee. 

Richmond junior forward T. J. Cline shot 6-8 (.750) from the field and 4-5 (.800) from the free throw line for the game-high 18 points. Cline was closely followed by senior forward teammate Terry Allen with 16.  

Within the first 12 minutes of the game, the lead, first taken by Longwood, changed several times. Then, the Lancers' shots stopped falling for over seven minutes while Richmond went on a 14-0 run. The Spiders led 37-22 at halftime.  

"I feel like in the first half we can out ready to fight, ready to play and then they came in and punched us in the mouth and we didn't know how to respond to it," said Johnson. "We get into these spots where we start giving in. I feel like they get a run and then we give in. We've got to find a way to fight through that run and get a win." 

The hole  was too deep to overcome. Ten minutes into the second half, Richmond had a 29 point lead. Longwood managed to cut it to 18 by the end after a burst of energy from Johnson rallied the team. 

"To me, Shaq (Johnson) diving on the ground showed me that he was not giving up. He got two steals back-to-back in the back court. So he picked up his energy and the team followed," said Obi-Rapu Jr. 

Turnovers and free throws accounted for over half of Richmond's score (45). 

"Those are things that we have got to be able to control, but when you're playing a really, really good team, sometimes you can't always control those things," said Gee. 

The locally televised game set the stage for the Lancer's next away game against Oklahoma State (6-3) to be broadcast on ESPNU. The team will face the Big 12 opponent on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 9 p.m. 

"Our energy was up and down, but when the energy was up, we showed that we could play with anybody at a high level," said Obi-Rapu Jr.