The “bracket buster” matchup between underdogs Morehead State and Richmond turned out to be just another David vs. Goliath game.

Richmond dictated tempo and style and led wire to wire, cruising to a Sweet 16-clinching 65-48 victory over the Morehead State Eagles. 

Senior forward Justin Harper had 19 points and six boards for the Spiders and steady center Dan Geriot added 13 points and seven rebounds to go with two steals.

The story of the game was how ineffective the Eagles were.  They turned in the most uninspired performance of the tournament by far, shooting an atrocious 18-50 from the field. 

Guard play is key come tournament time and the Eagles were done in by theirs. At the half, Morehead State was 7-for-21 shooting and could simply get nothing going.

The Eagles never led in the game and they got especially gruesome performances from senior guard Demonte Harper and freshman forward Drew Kelly.  Kelly was invisible, unless he was notably getting swatted around the rim, and Harper went 2-for-15 from the field, including 0-for-6 from 3-point range. 

Early on, with the score 12-4, Richmond, senior center Kenneth Faried had a huge block (see video below) that resulted in a jump ball. Richmond won the tip and got an easy layup and Morehead fell a little deeper into a frustrating hole they were never able to get out of.

Outside of Faried, the Eagles were simply outmanned. Faried and sixth man Sam Goodman were the only sparks in an otherwise flat performance. 

And flat performances in March are good for a one-way ticket home.

Player of the Game:
Justin Harper (F, Richmond)

Harper’s 19-point, six-rebound, three-assist performance can’t be denied. Honorable mention goes to center Dan Geriot, who peppered Morehead State with shots from all over the court.

Memorable Moment:
The aforementioned block by Faried was one of the nastiest blocks you’ll ever see. Plays like that can turn the tide of a basketball game…Unfortunately, this one resulted in absolutely no momentum swing for Morehead, and Richmond just kept chugging.

What this Means:
RICHMOND IS IN THE SWEET 16! NO, REALLY! THE FREAKIN’ RICHMOND SPIDERS!

[Editor's note: Richmond will play the winner of Sunday's of Kansas-Illinois game.]

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